The full moon of Shravan is Narali Purnima on the coast of Maharashtra. The Koli fishing communities, who have kept their boats ashore through the monsoon, dress in their brightest, carry a gilded coconut to the shore in procession and offer it to the sea, asking for a safe season. Inland the same day is Raksha Bandhan, and for Brahmin households Shravani, the changing of the sacred thread.
The story
The coconut is offered to Varuna, lord of the waters. By this full moon the worst of the monsoon is over, the fish have bred, and the sea can be entered again; the offering is both thanks and request.
The dish of the day is narali bhat, rice cooked with coconut and jaggery, and the songs are the Koli songs that have since travelled far beyond the coast.
सण आयलाय गो आयलाय गो नारळी पुनवेचा
The festival has come, girl, it has come: the festival of Coconut Full Moon
A Koli song
How it is kept
- Offering the coconutCarried to the water with drums, and thrown as far as it will go.
- Painting the boatsBoats are repainted, garlanded and hung with flags before the first trip.
- Narali bhat and karanjiSweet coconut rice, and pastries filled with coconut.
- RakhiSisters tie the thread on their brothers.
- ShravaniThe sacred thread is renewed with offerings to the sages.
Why this date
Narali Purnima is the full-moon tithi of Shravan, on the day it is present at sunrise. The rakhi is tied once Bhadra, the first half of the tithi, has passed.
Narali Purnima and Raksha Bandhan in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Saturday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Tuesday | |
| 2031 | Sunday |
More Marathi festivals
24 AugustGokulashtami and Dahi Handiगोकुळाष्टमी · दहीहंडी
3 SeptemberGanesh Chaturthiगणेश चतुर्थी
18 JulyGuru Purnimaगुरुपौर्णिमा
14 JulyAshadhi Ekadashiआषाढी एकादशी
8 MayAkshaya Tritiyaअक्षय्य तृतीया
7 OctoberDurga Ashtamiदुर्गाष्टमी
Where to see Narali Purnima and Raksha Bandhan
In Maharashtra
- Worli and Versova Koliwada, MumbaiMaharashtraThe fishing villages inside the city, with processions to the sea.
- Alibag and the Raigad coastMaharashtraHarbour after harbour of painted boats.
- RatnagiriMaharashtraThe southern Konkan's main fishing port.
Across India
- PuriOdishaGamha Purnima, the birthday of Balabhadra.
- AmarnathJammu and KashmirThe pilgrimage to the ice linga ends on this full moon.
- Chandni Chowk, DelhiDelhiThe rakhi markets of the north.