Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tripurari Poornima - Boat festival at Vithalapur Sanquelim Goa

Boat festival on the occasion "Tripurari Poornima" at Sanquelim


Tripurari Poornima, is the full moon day in the Kartik month in a traditional Hindu calendar. The day celebrates the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon Tripurasura and the destruction of the three cities – Tripuri – made by demons

The legend has it that a powerful demon named Tripuri or Tripurasura built three cities of gold, silver and iron with the blessing of Lord Shiva. The demon became so powerful that he started attacking humans and the gods (devas). Brahma and Vishnu failed to contain Tripurasura who was armed with several boons from Shiva.

Finally, the task of annihilating the demon fell on Lord Shiva and after three days of fight, Lord Shiva killed Tripurasura and destroyed the three cities – Tripuri. This great victory happened on the full moon day in Kartik month and therefore the day is celebrated as Tripuri Poornima. Lighting of lamps in temples and homes in the evening after sunset in honor of Shiva is a major event on this day.

Vithalapur in Sankhali has a tradition of celebrating Deeparadhana (Lamp or Fire worship) on this day.

Earlier the festival was celebrated using floating earthen lamps placed in dronas or cups made out of thick dried leaves. Today boats of made of cardboard and thermocol and placing electric bulbs. These boats are floated in the Walvanti river decorated with lights and different colours. The palanque procession of lord Vitthal was carried out followed by the burning the effigy of demon Tripurasur. The boat competition began at midnight after the fireworks at the Walwanti river.

The temple is located at a distace of 40 kms from Panaji at Vithalwadi, Sanquelim, the home town of the Ranes of Satari.

The beautifully lighted Vithal temple


The People gathered to view the Cultural program


The musical concert organised in the courtyard with included lavni recital and vocal performance by Ravindra Sathe


Some of the boats that took part in the competition


Some of the boats that took part in the competition


Some of the boats that took part in the competition


Some of the boats that took part in the competition


Some of the boats that took part in the competition


A section of the large crowd that was present to view the boating competition



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