Mangaluru: It was a special day for the fishermen community along the coast. Instead of their routine work of venturing into the sea for fishing, fishermen were busy celebrating the annual 'Samudra Pooja.'
The 'Hunnime,' (full moon day) of Shravana Masa (Usually in the month of August) is the day when the fishermen community offers special pooja to the Sea God praying for a good catch and safety. The fishermen or Mogaveera community follow this century old practice even today with great devotion.
“Traditionally the advent of the monsoon marks the end of the fishing season as the sea turns rough then. It is also the fish breeding season. After a gap of about two months, during Shravana Masa, fishermen start venturing into the sea which usually settles by then," Mogaveera Vyavastapana Mandali former president Yathish Baikampady told Deccan Chronicle. “Before venturing into the sea, members of the community offer this pooja to the Sea God on the full moon day of Shravana Masa. Traditionally Samudra Pooja marks the beginning of the fishing season. The pooja is offered to the Sea God while praying for a good catch in the new season and also for the safety to all those who venture into the sea," he said. The fishermen are joined by members of other communities too.
The preparation for the pooja starts early in the morning when after 'Bhajan,' the members of the community come together and go to the sea shore in their respective villages. Milk, tender coconut water, flower and 'aarthi,' are offered to the Sea God.
