The state-level “Tripurari Pournima Festival,” celebrated on the banks of the Valvonti River at Vithalapur, Sankhali, will be held this year on November 15, 2024, starting from 7:00 p.m. onwards. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will be the Chief Guest for this annual celebration, which is jointly organized by the Directorate of Art and Culture, Department of Tourism, Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Department of Information and Publicity, and Deepawali Utsav Samiti, a local cultural organization from Vithalapur, Sankhali.
The Guest of Honour will be the former Chief Minister of Goa and President of Shree Dev Vithal Panchayatan Devasthan, Shri Pratapsingh Raoji Rane.
Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan Khaunte, MLA from Sanvordem constituency; Chairperson of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, MLA of Mayem constituency; Chairperson of Goa State Horticulture Corporation, Shri Premendra Shet, MLA of Poriem constituency and Chairperson of Goa Forest Development Corporation, Dr. Deviya Rane; Chairperson of Sankhali Municipal Council, Smt. Siddhi Porob; Sarpanch of the Village Panchayat Karapur, Sarvan, Smt. Tanvi Sawant; and President of Deepawali Utsav Samiti, Shri Dinesh Usapkar, will also be present on the occasion.
The Department of Information and Publicity has organized a photo exhibition near Shree Vithal Mandir, Vithalapur, on the theme ‘Swayampurna Goa,’ showcasing inspiring photos of the Swayampurna Goa Mission. This exhibition is open to the general public.
The main feature of the festival is the spectacular state-level boat competition held in the basin of the Valvonti River. More than 50 handcrafted, creative boats are likely to participate from different parts of the state and will sail in the river as part of the competition.
The celebrations will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a procession of Lord Shree Krishna and the sailing of traditional lamps in the Valvonti River (Deepdan), followed by a cultural programme presentation at 7:30 p.m. The Palkhi procession of Shree Vithal Rakhumai will take place at 10:30 p.m.
The traditional Boat Show/Competition will be held from 10:30 p.m. to 12:00 midnight, and the Tripurasur Vadh will be held at 11:00 p.m. The release of traditional Saranga lamps into the sky will take place at 11:05 p.m.
