PANAJI: The State-level “Tripurari Pournima Festival” which is celebrated on the banks of river Valvonti at Vitthalapur, Sankhali, will be held this year on November 15 from 7 pm onwards. The annual celebration will be jointly organised by Directorate of Art and Culture, Department of Tourism, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Information and Publicity, Shree Dev Vithal Panchayatan Devasthan, Vithalpur, Sankhali and Deepawali Utsav Samittee, a local cultural organization from Vitthalapur, Sankhali.
The main feature of the festival is the spectacular State Level Boat Competition that is held in the basin of river Valvonti. More than 50 handcrafted creative boats participating from different parts of the state are sailed in the river as a part of the boat sailing competition.
The celebrations will begin at 7 pm with procession of Lord Shreekrishna and sailing of traditional lamps in the river Valvonti (Deepdan), followed by presentation of cultural programme at 7.30 pm and Palkhi procession of Shree Vithal Rakhumai at 10.30 pm.
The traditional boat show/competition will be held from 10.30 pm to 12 midnight, and Tripurasur Vadh will be held at 11 pm. The release of traditional Saranga lamps in the sky will be held at 11.5 pm.
The following prizes will be given to the winners and participants of the State Level Boat Competition. The first Prize comprises of Rs 35,000, (Rolling Trophy by Art and Culture Minster’s Rolling trophy presented by Directorate of Art and Culture, Government of Goa and certificate, the second Prize comprises of Rs 30,000 (Rolling Trophy by Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Panaji and certificate, the third prize comprises of Rs 25,000 (Rolling Trophy by Late Vithoba Krishnaji Naik , Vitthalapur-Sankhali) and certificate, the fourth prize comprises of Rs 20,000 and certificate while the fifth prize comprises of Rs 15,000 and certificate.
There will be five consolation prizes of Rs 8,000 each and certificates. An honorarium of Rs 5,000 each and certificates will be given to ten selected boats. All the remaining participants will receive Rs 4000 each as participation allowance and certificates as approved by the judges.
All Goan participants and artist are requested to participate in the state level boat competition with their creative handcrafted boats. The details of the competition are available at the office of Deepawali Utsav Samittee, Vithalpur Sankhali (Contact- Sameer Desai on 9923119009).