Our legs get rhythm automatically when we hear this famous Koligeet. Narali Purnima is an important festival for our Koli community. As I say every time, most of our festivals are designed to express gratitude. This festival is celebrated to show deep gratitude towards the ocean where wind (Vayudev) is worshipped to keep the ocean calm and steady for fishing.
In this Blog, I am going to explain the Scientific facts about Narali Purnima and the real meaning behind Raksha Bandhan. So read it up to the last.
Southwest monsoon winds bring rainfall in India. Fishermen on the West coastal line cannot go into the ocean due to these winds and heavy rainfall. They wait for almost two months and when the rainfall gets reduced, they worship the ocean and wind and then start their fishing business.
Why this festival is called Narali Purnima?
Naral means coconut. The coconut has a significant place in worshipping due to many reasons.
1. It is very common and readily available.
2. It lasts for many days without getting spoiled.
3. It represents our ego or aham. Breaking the coconut in front of the God denotes breaking of our ego, attitude or aham (अहंकार).
4. Coconut water is used for cleansing the place and our body if consumed.
5. The flesh of coconut can be distributed as Prasad after pooja.
This multi-purpose coconut is offered to the ocean, so it is called Narali Purnima.
Scientific Significance behind Narali Purnima
On the West coast of India, monsoon is the time when fish breed and lay eggs. If we want to eat fish throughout the year, then it is necessary not to catch them at this time. So they can get multiplied. Therefore, the provision of Shravana month observance without eating fish is brought into the practice. This system is embedded in our cultural practice to protect and revive marine biodiversity.
Fish provides us Omega Fatty Acids. This need is fulfilled by eating coconut which is also a great source of Omega Fatty Acids. Coconut rice, coconut burfi, coconut karanji etc. dishes are prepared and served to get a diverse diet. Don't you think, our ancestors were so smart to introduce this festival of Narali Purnima?
When do we celebrate Raksha Bandhan?
Raksha Bandhan is also known as Rakhi Purnima. It is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Shravana.
True Meaning of Raksha Bandhan
The meaning of Rakhi is Sacred Thread. The meaning of Raksha Bandhan means Protective Bond. Rakhi is a sacred thread tied for the protection of the person. It is tied to the wrist of a person to protect him from all the evils and odds. In the olden days, a queen (wife) used to tie Rakhi to the king (husband) who was going to war to protect him from all the attacks and weapons.
Rani Karnavati, a widowed queen sent Rakhi to Delhi Emperor Humayun when her kingdom - Chittor was attacked by Bahadur Shah. It was a message for Humayun to come to war against Bahadur Shah and this Rakhi would protect Humayun from all the harm. But history misinterpreted it.
Till now, we consider that Rakhi is tied to the brother by a sister so he will protect her. But it may not be correct. A sister ties Rakhi to her brother so he will be protected from all the evils and odds. That's the reason, an elder sister also ties Rakhi to her younger brother. A brother gifts something to his sister for this protection and for a lovely and caring gesture. Otherwise, there is no logic that a brother should protect his sister and should give her a gift also. It is important to teach this right message to the next generation when we talk about gender equality.
A woman does not depend on any man for her protection. Since ancient times, we have considered a woman as Shakti (Power). She has the abilities and capabilities to protect herself. It is not correct to teach our sons to protect our daughters but it is need of time to teach our sons to respect each and every girl and woman. Then there is no need for protection.
It is very important to change this philosophy. We have completely misinterpreted the meaning of our festival. The woman has such a high status in our religion that if she would simply tie one ordinary thread on someone's wrist, that person would be protected from all the bad things. And here we are saying that a woman is Abla Nari. She needs protection, so a brother should protect her.
Raksha Bandhan will reach the highest level when we have this right approach to the celebration.
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