Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru/Udupi (PMD)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Aug 7: ‘Samudra Puja’, an annual ritual, is widely observed by the Mogaveera Community for the welfare and prosperity of the fishing community. It marks the beginning of the monsoon and the keenly awaited picking up of the fishing activities after a brief ban.

The practice is usually held during the auspicious Shravana month.

The custom marks the start of a new fishing season after the annual ban on specific fishing activities for approximately two months.

The district administration implements the ban on the orders of the state government, to facilitate the breeding of fish.

Mangaluru

Udupi

This year, the ban on the use of mechanised boats for deep sea fishing spanned 61 days, from June 1 to July 31. All other traditional boats above ten horse power capacity with either inboard or outboard engines were banned during the 61-day ban. The fishermen start fishing in the hope of a bountiful yield.

Fisherfolk from all surrounding vicinities gathers for the customary Puja, which is often preceded by a procession.

As part of the ritual, the fishing community offers milk, coconuts and fruits to the sea, to show gratitude for continued protection by the sea God, from natural disasters. It is an occasion where the community expresses thankfulness for the abundant catch that has sustained them in the past.

Besides thanking the Gods for the forepassed years, prayers are offered to please the sea God for an abundant catch at sea, and for the protection of all fisherfolk during their fishing sprees at sea in the future.