New Delhi, Aug 19: The twin festivals of Raksha Bandhan and Narali Purnima are being celebrated today with great enthusiasm on Shravan Purnima.
According to DrikPanchang, the auspicious time for tying rakhis was between 1:58 pm and 4:31 pm, with morning hours being avoided due to the inauspicious Bhadra period.
On the eve of the festival, the Jogeshwari market buzzed with activity as women flocked to buy colourful rakhis for the special occasion. At home, families prepared traditional sweets like coconut laddoos, barfi, and nariyal wadi, with coconut playing a central role in the concurrent celebration of Narali Purnima.
For the Koli fisherfolk, Narali Purnima holds deep significance as it marks the resumption of fishing activities after the two-month monsoon break. Fishermen, led by community leaders like Pradeep Tapke from Versova, worshipped the sea god Varun and adorned their boats, offering coconut 'karanji' prepared by the women of the household. "A fisherman eagerly waits for Narali Purnima," said Tapke. "We believe that offering coconuts to the sea and worshipping it calms the waters, ensuring the safety of our boats and the return of our men."
The real fishing season, according to Tapke, begins only after Narali Purnima. In traditional finery, Koli communities across Mumbai, including those in Worli Koliwada, participated in two main Jamaat 'palkhi' processions, marking the festive occasion with music and dance.
As the day unfolded, the rich cultural heritage of these twin festivals was celebrated with devotion and joy, bringing together communities in a shared spirit of tradition and faith.
