When the grey clouds recede and the tides turn, when the surging waters of the sea calm down, comes the time for thanks-giving to god Varun who rules over the moods and tempers of the vast sea. It is the festival for all those who depend on the sea for their livelihood. Therefore, Sea-god Varun, a vedic deity of considerable importance in the Puranic pantheon, is worshiped on this day. Coconuts are thrown into the sea as offerings to Varun. Hence, this day has come to be known as Narial Purnima.
Coconut plays a prominent role in all religious offerings.
When embarking upon any new enterprise, coconut is broken before the family deity, the water is splashed on the idol and pieces of coconut are distributed. By the time of this festival rains are receding. Hindu married women gather together, play games, sing and dance and put kumkum tilak on each others forehead as symbols of good luck, eat and enjoy together and then bid farewell. Fisher-folk welcome this day as the heavy rains finally stop. The fury of the waves has fully spent itself and therefore the fishermen can set sail again.