The Koli are the fishing community who were here before Bombay was, and their festivals run on the sea rather than the agricultural calendar. Narali Purnima, on the full moon of Shravan in August, marks the end of the monsoon fishing ban: coconuts are offered to the sea, the boats are decorated, and the fleet goes out the next day.
The Koli villages — Worli, Versova, Colaba, Khar Danda, Mahim, Madh — are working villages inside the city, and these are their festivals rather than the city’s.
The names
Places, groups and events| Name | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Narali Purnima | the Koliwadas | Full moon of Shravan; coconuts offered to the sea and the fishing season begins. |
| Worli Koliwada | Worli Village | The largest Koli village in the island city. |
| Versova Koliwada | Versova | The western suburbs’ fishing village and market. |
| Colaba Koliwada | behind Sassoon Dock, Colaba | A working fishing village in South Mumbai. |
| Khar Danda Koliwada | Khar | A smaller village, largely residential now. |
| Mahim Koliwada | Mahim | Beside the Mahim creek and the dargah. |
| Madh and Manori | north-west coast | The outer fishing villages. |
| Koli dance and song | the villages | Performed at Narali Purnima and at weddings; distinct from Maharashtrian folk forms. |
| Sassoon Dock1875 | Colaba | The fish dock; busiest at dawn, and the trade hub for all of it. |
| Shimga and Holi | the Koliwadas | The Koli communities observe Shimga over several days, distinctly from the rest of the city. |
| The monsoon fishing ban | June to August | Enforced annually; Narali Purnima marks its end. |
Worth knowing
- Narali Purnima is in August, on the Shravan full moon.
- It marks the end of the monsoon fishing ban, which is a working matter, not only a ritual.
- The Koliwadas are working villages, not exhibits. Be a guest.
- Koli Shimga, around Holi, runs several days and is distinct from the city’s Holi.
- Sassoon Dock at dawn is the best way to see the trade behind all of it.
The other festivals
Read the city another way
A note on this page. Festival dates move with the lunar calendar and arrangements change every year. Everything here is a snapshot of Mumbai as of 2026, offered as a starting point rather than a live listing. Check timings, routes and darshan rules before you travel.
Mandal, temple, shop and company names belong to their respective owners. Inclusion is for independent discovery only, not endorsement, ranking or affiliation.
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