Holiday alert: Schools, colleges shut on August 8 for Narali Purnima, Gauri Visarjan; MU exams rescheduled
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has officially declared holidays for Narali Purnima on August 8 and Jyeshtha Gauri Visarjan on September 2, 2025. The decision, reported by NDTV Marathi, applies to all state government and semi-government offices located in Mumbai city and suburban districts.
As per the order, schools and colleges across Mumbai and Maharashtra will also remain closed on August 8 (Friday) for Narali Purnima. A copy of the circular has been sent to various departments, including the High Court, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), district collectors, and other relevant authorities.
🔹बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिकेतील अत्यावश्यक सेवा वगळता इतर कार्यालयांना दिनांक ८ ऑगस्ट २०२५ रोजी नारळी पौर्णिमेनिमित्त सुटी
🔹नारळी पौर्णिमा सणानिमित्त महाराष्ट्र शासनाने उद्या, शुक्रवार दिनांक ८ ऑगस्ट २०२५ रोजी मुंबई शहर व मुंबई उपनगर जिल्ह्यातील राज्य शासकीय / निमशासकीय…— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) August 7, 2025
In light of the holiday, Mumbai University has postponed all examinations scheduled for August 8. “Due to the local holiday of Narali Pournima, the examination scheduled for August 8, 2025, has been rescheduled. The revised date will be announced soon,” the university informed in an official notice.
Apart from these, Independence Day will be observed as a public holiday on August 15 (Friday) and Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27 (Wednesday).
Narali Pournima, also known as Coconut Day, is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated primarily in the coastal regions of Maharashtra, Goa, and parts of Konkan, especially by the fishing communities.
When Is It Celebrated?
On the full moon day (Purnima) in the Hindu month of Shravan (usually in July or August). In 2025, it falls on August 8.
What Does It Celebrate?
Narali means coconut, and Pournima means full moon. The festival marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of the new fishing season. It is a thanksgiving to the sea god, Varuna, for protecting fishermen and providing bounty.
Key Traditions:
Offerings of coconuts are made to the sea or water bodies, symbolizing respect and gratitude. Fisherfolk decorate and worship their boats, and new fishing expeditions begin after this day. Festive meals include dishes made with coconut, like narali bhaat (sweet coconut rice).
Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated on the same day in many parts of India.
Cultural Significance:
Narali Pournima blends spiritual devotion, seasonal transition, and economic tradition, especially important to coastal livelihoods.