Mangalore, Aug 11: The fishermen of Mangalore offered Samudra Pooja (sea worship) by offering milk to at Thannirbhavi in Mangalore on Sunday.
The puja is offered by fishermen before resuming fishing activities after the monsoon break.
Fishermen consider the day as auspicious as a large number of them offer prayers, to safeguard their family members from all evil spirit when they venture into sea for fishing for weeks together.
Mangalooru Yelu Patna Mogaveera Samyuktha Sabha comprising Boloor, Bokkapatna, Kudroli, Hoige Bazaar, Bolar, Jeppu, Neereshwalya and Padu Hoige Mogaveera grama sabhas.
The day began with a Shoba Yatre from Karnal Garden Sri Rama Bhajana Mandira. It passed via Bokkapattana Brahma Babbarya Banta Daivastana, Boloor Ashwatha Katte Nagabrahma Sthana, Boloor Grama Chavadi before arriving on the banks of river Gurpura.
After crossing the river in boats, the fishermen waiting on the other end of the river received them and took the seer in a colourful procession to the beach at Thannirbavi where prayers were offered amidst bhajans. The seer offered the pooja, first by offering milk, fruits, tender coconuts, flowers and other commodities.
Simultaneously, a large number of fishermen taking part in the rituals too threw coconuts to sea, which is also one of the rituals.
After offering pooja to the Sea, prayers were offered at a pendal set up for the purpose. The programme ended with distribution of prasadam.
Though heavy rain played a spoilsport, it did not deter fishermen from performing prayers and rituals.
Speaking after offering pooja, Suvarna Kadali Mutt Head Nareshnathaji wished for the better catch for fishermen during the season.
Fisherman R C Bolara said, “We need to ensure that fish populations do not decline. Fishermen should have a feeling of sacrednedss to the sea.”
“It is the sea alone that protects us during sudden unforseen crisis in the sea. When we are sailing, it is only sea that is visible. Hence, we offer prayers to Sea God to protect us during our venture in sea,” he said.
Prior to the pooja, various teams performed bhajans.
Mangalooru Yelu Patna Mogaveera Samyuktha Sabha President Madhava Salian, General Secretary Panduranga Suvarna, Vice President Diwakar Anchan, among others were present.
The student-activist, who was allowed to talk on stage, suddenly raised pro-Pakistan slogans. She was arrested by police after All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi snatched her mike.
Comments
I feel thankful for the witnessing of this beautiful ceremony of giving thanks and honoring Mother Earth and Mother Sea - the mothers who give us food every day. It seems to me that these ceremonies of thanks-giving to the mothers and natural forces sustaining us on this common planet, is a beautiful fundament for peace making. The world is so hurt and weary by fights and wars because of a belief in a distant, invisible father somewhere in heaven, waiting to punish us all.
Blessed be the Mother Earth sustaining us and the fishermen in India remembering these traditions of old - long before any god was ever invented.
This is so beautiful.
A big yes to LIFE and a loving honoring of Mother Earth and Mother Sea, the mothers who provide food for all her children. We need to see more of these beautiful ceremonies of thanks-giving from all over the world. Honoring the natural life-forces as Mothers sustaining us on this planet seems to result in more peaceful living together here on Earth than the constant fights over a distant, invisible father in heaven going to punish us all one day.... With love and respect and gratitude to you fishing people carrying out these ancient traditions since any god was ever invented.
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