Mangaluru : A large number of fishermen, fisherwomen and children offered Samudra Puja (prayers to Sea God) at Tannirbavi on Monday.

The fishermen offered prayers to the Sea God, on a full moon day after deep-sea fishing season holiday ends. A majority of the fishermen from Mogaveera community venture into sea only after offering the prayers.

Fishermen consider the day as auspicious as a large number of them offer prayers, to safeguard their family members from all evil when they venture into sea for fishing for weeks together.

The programme was organised by Mangaluru Yelu Pattana Mogaveera Samyuktha Sabha comprising Boloor, Bokkapatna, Kudroli, Hoige Bazaar, Bolar, Jeppu, Neereshwalya and Padu Hoige Mogaveera grama sabhas. The fishermen meet at Bobbarya Temple in Bokkapattana with milk and coconuts. Later, they arrive in a procession to Thannirbavi shore for offering the prayers.

The rituals were performed at a pandal set up for the purpose on the shore under the guidance of the Kadali (Kadri) Yogeshwar (Jogi) Mutt seer Yogi Nirmalanath. Mogaveera grama Sabha members recited Bhajans. Later, they proceeded towards the sea shore along with the seer to perform Samudra Puja. The seer, led the puja by offering milk, fruits, tender coconuts, flowers and other commodities, to the sea.

Later, the fishermen offered the milk. Simultaneously, a large number of fishermen taking part in the rituals too threw coconuts to sea, which is also one of the rituals. The programme ended with distribution of Prasadam.

Speaking after the puja, Yogi Nirmalanath wished for the better catch for fishermen during the season. “People will not face any problem if they follow the path of Dharma. The Almighty will protect us if we offer prayers with utmost devotion. A part of our earnings should be earmarked for the God and the welfare of society. No one is above the Nature God,” he said.

Zilla Kannada Sahitya Parishat Ppresident Pradeep Kumar Kalkura presided over the programme.

Entrepreneur Ashwin Bolar, Mangaluru Yelu Pattana Mogaveera Samyuktha Sabha president Diwakar Kanchan, vice president Yadav Salian and others were present.