Tripurari Poornima Goa’s unique boat festival will set sail at Sanquelim on 2nd November, 2009. Tradition makes way for modernity quite regularly in India, but the old ways are never abandoned. Tripurari Poornima establishes this fact once again. The festival will be jointly organized by Department of Art & Culture, Department of Information & Publicity, Goa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd and Deepavali Utsav Committee Sankhali. The Government of Goa has declared this festival as State Festival.
Miniature replicas are painstakingly crafted for this festival of Tripura Poornima which has its roots in legend. Lord Shiva burnt down three fortresses (puras) of demon Tripurasur and set free the gods and humans held captive. The gods celebrated this event by lighting lamps. The festival is also called Deva Diwali. Vithalaput in Sankhali has a tradition of celebrating Deeparadhana (Lamp or Fire worship) on this day. The Vithala Temple is illuminated with lamps and a palanquin procession of Lord Vithal winds its way to the River Valvanti. After Deeparadhana, lamps are set adrift in the currents, resulting in a sublimely beautiful sight.
Earlier the festival was celebrated using floating earthen lamps placed in dronas or cups made out of thick dried leaves. With electrification artists began making boats of cardboard and thermocol and placing electric bulbs in them. Today this has grown into a state level competition for the most artistic and technically superior boat. It is a matter of pride for Goans, especially from Sankhali, to take part in this competition.
The traditional Diya in a Drona is still given pride of place in the scheme of events. The diyas or deepas take to the water first, before the boats set sail. This is followed by a series of cultural programmes, including an enactment of Lord Shiva’s victory over the demon Tripurasur. A fantastic display of fireworks adds to the celebration as it goes well into the full moon night. And not just for winners of the boat competition, but for all humanity. We once again remind ourselves of the victory of good over evil.
For information about the festival contact:
Sagar Jawdekar (Deepawali Utsav Samitee, Vithalapur Sanqueliom) - 9850097023
Deepak Narvekar (Public Relations Officer, GTDC) - 9689917277