Falls
On: The Full Moon Day Of The Month Of Shravan (July-August)
Main Offering: Raksha Bandhan Festival
Religion: Offering Of Coconuts To The Sea God
Special Preparations: Sweet Coconut Rice
The full moon day of the month of
Shravan is celebrated with characteristic fervour in different parts
of Maharashtra and is known variously as Narali Pournima, Shravani
Pournima, Rakhi Pournima or Raksha Bandhan. 'Naral' means 'coconut',
and Narali Pournima is thus called because people make offerings
of coconuts to the sea-god on this day.
This festival comes at the fag end
of the monsoons in Maharashtra, and offering coconuts to the sea
is a sign that the monsoons are over. Narali Pournima also marks
the advent of the new fishing season and fishermen appease the sea-god
before sailing out in their decorated boats. A prayer is made to
the sea-god that he may allow fishermen to go to sea and fish again
safely.
This festival coincides with the
festival of Raksha Bandhan. The festival is a day of singing and
dancing. On this day, sweet coconut rice is made and eaten.
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