Narali Purnima- The Festival Of Coconut

                                                                                                                                                                                                          The Hindu festival of Narali Purnima or the Coconut festival is celebrated with great excitement by the fishermen and the fishing community in Goa and also in the coastal belts, on the full moon day of Shravan. In Konkani language Narali Purnima is also called as "Punvecho Dis". The word 'Naral' means coconut and coconut is offered to the sea on full moon day.

The reason for the celebration of the festival is very specific to the fishermen. When eating fish comes to an end on the day of Narali Purnima when a coconut is thrown into the sea at high tide of that day. The reason for this is during high tide, the sea is in heavy motion and very strong. This offering of the coconut is a gesture to clam its dangerous anger. The reason for offering no other fruit but the coconut is because coconut has long been regarded as an showing offering Gods in all Hindu Festivals. Thus, this offering of coconut is believed to appease the sea god for a safe journey ahead in the water It is believed that after this day the strength of the wind and the direction of the same changes in favour of fishing.

                                                                                                                                                          Before the arrival of this festival, fishermen repairs their old fishing nets, paint their boat{Hode or Ponel} and plug any holes that are that are leaking in their boats. Also some fishermen buys or purchases fishing net and boats. With colourful flower garlands boats are decorated. On the day of festival, the traditional food is prepared like coconut rice which is sweet to taste. They perform traditional dance like kharvi dance. After the celebration, they throw the coconut far into the sea. They worship the sea god asking the god for its protection and blessings for a safe and prosperous  fishing season ahead. The sea is holy to fishermen for their survival. They offers pooja to the boat and put tread{Janve} to the fishing boat.Some oil lamps are lit up and set afloat amidst the waves and carried in the boats. After pooja is over pieces of coconuts are distributed as 'Prasad' to the members of the community. After coming home the all Hindu people worship Thread also known as' Janve' and wore around their neck, this ritual is also known as Sutachi Punav.
As personally I am belong to Kharvi  family, we all enjoy this festival. It is social as well as an occupational and has been celebrated immemorial amongst the fisher folk in the country.