JoeGoaUk - GOA: November 2014

Tripurari Poornima - Unique Boat Festival at Vithalapur Sankhali (Sanquelim, Goa)

on 6th November 2014 around 11.30pm

This day marks the end of Diwali, which is celebrated as the festival of Tripurari Purnima. Tripurari Purnima, is declared as a state festival by Government of Goa as a part of its effort to promote local fairs and festivals.

Tripurari purnima is jointly organized by Department of Art and Culture, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Tourism and Department of Information and Publicity in association with local Deepavali Utsav Committee, Vithalapur, Sankhali.

The festival of Tripurari Purnima marks the celebration of a mythical legend based on Lord Shiva and a demon named Tripurasara. The demon received blessings from Lord Shiva to build three cities made of gold, silver and iron, after which he became extremely powerful. His inflated ego knew no bounds and he started attacking and tormenting humans and demi gods (devas). Brahma and Vishnu failed to contain Tripurasura who was armed with several boons from Shiva.

Eventually, Lord Shiva had to intervene and destroy the demon. This great victory happened on the full moon day in Kartik month and therefore the day is celebrated as Tripurari Poornima. Traditionally, the festival is celebrated by lighting of lamps.

Vithalapur in Sanquelim, near the Pundalik Temple, will be lit up and ready for a boat contest which is the main highlight of this festival. The river Valvanti which flows nearby makes it an ideal spot for the boat competition. Diyas or lamps are placed in the water before the boats enter. The boats are miniature replicas of actual ships while others are traditional crafts mostly made of thermacol and cardboard. This colorfully lit up scene forms a visual treat for the large numbers gathered.

Apart from the boat competition, there are a host of cultural programmes which includes songs by well known Goan artistes and performances of various traditional folk dances such as Goff, Dhalo, Tonyamel, Veerbhadra, Samai dance etc. As the competition progresses the competitors boats are brought and displayed near the shore. The night ends with an extravagant firework display. Prizes are awarded to winners of the boat competition.

GTDC arranges for transport facilities for in-house guests (at the Residencies) and local Goans to witness the Tripurari Poornima celebrations. GTDC Coaches/Buses leaves from Miramar, Santa Monica Jetty & Mapusa Residency 8 pm onwards and will return at 12.30 pm in the night. Tickets charges @ Rs. 100/- per person.

Every year nearly 15000 spectators attend this festival. International tourists staying at five star hotels also attend this festival in large numbers through special tours conducted by hotels.

Come visit the Goa and experience the unique boat festival which will take your breath away.

Contact Goa Tourism 0832-2438866, 2464154, 2262694 or visit website http://goa-tourism.com/tripura.php (info taken from GTDC site)

Wanted to go there for last several years, finally made it lastnight.
We left 8.30 and arrived there after 9.30pm
Panaji, Mapusa, Tivim, Asnora, Bicholim and then Sankli.
The boat show started 11.45 and ended just before 12.30am with fireworks etc
We were back home around 2am

This year, there were about 46 colourful boats.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Tripurari Purnima - Boat Festival at Vithalpur Sankhali, Goa