Indians offer their coconuts while worshipping Sea God in Mumbai

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The coconut sellers have a mound of coconuts as people head to the waterfront to worship the Sea God.

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A man waits in the water to collect the thrown coconuts, which are generally re-sold to the devotees who wish to offer the coconuts to the Sea God.

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A man waits in the water to collect the thrown coconuts, which are generally re-sold to the devotees who wish to offer the coconuts to the Sea God.

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A devotee prays to Sea God before he offers his coconuts.

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The fight for collecting the coconut, which are generally resold to devotees who come to offer coconut in the sea.

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Man praying with his coconut before he throws it into the water to offer it to the Sea God.

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Man praying with his coconut before he throws it into the water to offer it to the Sea God.

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Man offering his coconut to the Sea God after praying.

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A man collecting the offered coconuts to the sea.

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Sailors collecting the offered coconuts.

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A man waits in the water to collect the thrown coconuts, which are generally re-sold to the devotees who wish to offer the coconuts to the Sea God.

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Devotees offering coconuts to the Sea God, which are later collected by sailors, from a bridge.

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A kid with his grand father at the festival.

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A devotional function at the festival.

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The crowd at the festival which lead to traffic jam for long hours.

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The coconut stall at the ceremonial festival. Most of these coconuts are re-sold, which are collected from the sea.

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Set of sailors set to collect the coconuts.

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A boy swims to grab the thrown coconut.

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A boy jumps in the sea to catch the offered coconut.

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Men looking at the celebration as other pass by.

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The lady coconut sellers.

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Devotees offering coconuts to the Sea God, which are later collected by sailors, from a bridge.

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Women and others dancing at the festival and get set to offer the coconut to sea God.

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People in a rally dancing and celebrating the festival.

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Nariyal Poornima is celebrated in Thane, Maharashtra. This festival is important for those who depend on sea for their livelihood. On this day the Sea God, Varun, is worshiped and coconuts are offered to the Sea God thus the name Nariyal Poornima.

Nariyal(Coconut) Poornima was celebrated in Thane - Maharashtra. This festival is important for those who depend on sea for their life.On this day the Sea God, Varun is worshiped and coconuts are offered to the Sea God thus the name Nariyal poornima.

The people offer coconut to Lord Varun to invoke blessings and offer thanks giving and for the fishermen it is the beginning of the new fishing season.

Why Coconut?
A coconut has three eyes. It is said to represent Lord Shiva, the three eyed God. Coconut is considered to be an auspicious offering to Gods. A coconut is broken in front of the deities before taking up a new venture to seek blessings and on successful comlition for thanks giving. Coconut is important for all religious occasions. Thus coconut is considered to be an ideal offering to the Sea God as well.

Pieces of coconut and coconut are distributed as 'prasad'. Coconut rice is the main dish on this day.