Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Coastal Koli Communities Celebrate Narali Purnima With Sea Rituals
Narali Purnima is a festival celebrated by fishing communities in coastal Maharashtra.
Koli and Agri communities gathered in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Uran.
People prayed to the sea and asked for safe waters and plenty of fish.
They decorated and worshipped boats before the new fishing season.
In some places, coconuts were offered to the sea during special ceremonies.
People also walked in colourful processions with music and dancing.
Students in Karanja carried a large golden-coconut replica.
In Mahim, people played a lively coconut-breaking game.
The celebrations helped families and communities keep their traditions alive.
Koli and Agri communities celebrated Narali Purnima across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Uran with prayers, music and processions.
Fishermen worshipped decorated boats and offered coconuts to the sea, seeking calm waters and a prosperous fishing season.
At Mahim, decorated boats were launched after rituals symbolically marking the beginning of a new fishing season.
In Sarsole and Karanja, residents and students joined processions wearing traditional Koli clothing and jewellery.
Mahim celebrations also featured folk dances, decorated kalash and a traditional coconut-breaking game involving men and women.
- Who
- Koli and Agri fishing communities, including fishermen, residents, women, children and students.
- What
- They celebrated Narali Purnima through sea worship, coconut offerings, boat rituals, processions, music, folk dances and a coconut-breaking game.
- When
- On Thursday during the Narali Purnima festival; the articles do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Across Mumbai’s Mahim waterfront, Navi Mumbai’s coastal settlements and Uran’s Mora and Karanja ports.
- Why
- The rituals seek calm waters, protection and a prosperous fishing season while preserving generations-old coastal traditions.
- Festival
- Narali Purnima
- Communities
- Koli and Agri fishing communities
- Celebration areas
- Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Uran
- Mumbai venue
- Mahim waterfront and nearby fishing neighbourhood
- Central ritual
- Worshipping boats and offering coconuts to the sea
- Seasonal significance
- The symbolic beginning or resumption of the new fishing season
- Karanja procession
- Students carried a replica golden coconut approximately six feet long and three-and-a-half feet high
- Cultural activities
- Traditional attire, jewellery, dhol-tasha, lezim, folk dancing and coconut-breaking games
