Koli women assemble in front of Sri Hingla Devi temple in Versova village. Hingla Devi (also known as Hingula) is venerated as a Kuladevata among the Koli community. A Kuladevata is the family deity or patron deity of a particular clan or family.
Participants in the parade wear specially tailored garments, makeup, jewellery, and accessories. The parades are open and inclusive, where people of all ages, genders, religions, and walks of life participate.
Koli women dressed for a parade held on the previous night of Krishna Janmashtami. This is a lively and colourful event that showcases the creative spirit of the Koli community.
Traditional outfits showcase the Koli community's cultural heritage. Women wear the colourful Lugra saree, while men wear dhotis and kurtas, with turbans and angvastra (shoulder cloth).
Residents of Worli Koliwada draw rangoli on the procession route. Making rangoli is a communal activity that fosters a sense of togetherness and shared celebration among the participants.
The procession starts from the temple around five in the evening, takes a round of Worli Koliwada, and returns to the temple around three in the morning. Koli children dress up for the occasion and join the procession.
A Koli lady carrying a container of holy water moves ahead of the procession and sprinkles water on the path using a genda phool (marigold flower). This practice symbolizes the purification, sanctification, and blessing of the path to ensure the smooth and auspicious progress of the procession.
Priests at the temple perform the abhishekam ritual, which involves the ceremonial bathing of the mukhalingam with sacred items, each poured while chanting specific mantras. These items include water, milk, yogurt, honey, clarified butter, coconut water, and sandalwood paste.