TRIPURARI PURNIMA

Boat Festival Along Goa’s Valvolti River

- Seeja Prabhu

Any other region can rarely match the level of diversity in the state of Goa. The ample festivities and rituals celebrated in this coastal paradise make it hard to keep track of, even for the people within the state. One such festival is the Tripurari Purnima, which, similar to many other festivities, is another unique commemoration of the victory of good over evil. This particular festival is observed in multiple Indian states, however, the celebrations in Goa, have their extraordinary flair.

This festival is also commonly referred to as Kartik Poornima or Deva-Deepavali and is made remarkable by a peculiar StateLevel Boat Festival, which is held along with it every year in Goa.

The celebration generally occurs towards the end of the Diwali season, in November or December. This year, the festival was held on 15 November 2024, at the usual venue which is on the banks of river Valvonti at Vitthalapur, Sankhali near the Pundalik Temple.

Mythological Significance

According to historical legend, this festival, like many Hindu festivities, commemorates the perseverance of good over evil. It is said that Tripurasura, an asura (demon), created havoc and distress for all the people and the Gods. The demon received this name for creating three cities (Puras) in space, which caused much imbalance in the order of the universe as it was being altered leading to adverse consequences.