Hi guys, this Sunday (21st Nov) I went for the Tripurari Poornima festival which takes place every year in Sanquelim (Sankhali) which is about 50kms from my house.. Participants painstakingly build beautiful boats mostly from thermocol and decorate them with beautiful lights. On the festival day, they are launched in the waters of the Valvanti river and paraded next to the river bank for the crowd and the guests. This is followed by a series of cultural programs, including an enactment of Lord Shiva's victory over the demon Tripurasur. Launching of flying lanterns (I don't know what they're called.. hot air lanterns???) and a fantastic display of fireworks add to the fun as the festivities go on well into the full moon night..

Legend has it that 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. 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 Government of Goa has declared this festival as State Festival.

There were about 18 boats and I ended up clicking a lot of photos, so here are the best of the pics resized.. Enjoy! 

The gold carving on the boat is just plain thermocol with glitter and gold paint.. (Pic 1 of this post and Pic 3 & 4 of previous post).. Check out the detail..

Pic 2 & 3: The boat is decorated with Matchsticks, ice-cream spoons, toothpicks, thermocol bowls etc..

This is my favourite boat.. It even had a wedding celebration on the top deck with disco lights and everything.. Video soon..

Pic 1 & 2: "Rashi" various sun signs..

Pic 1: Hot air flying lantern thingie..
Pic 2 & 3: Boats in the water.. There are lead acid batteries inside powering the lights..

WOW................


I missed it.

Hey, I've got about 150 photos and some videos.. I'll show you when you come down

No comments?? What do you guys think?

awesome creations!!

Brilliant. Very detailed.

Yea.. I especially liked the 2 boats in the first post.. I was amazed how they managed to do all the fine carving on thermocol..

Let me know bro....  When iz it next.....  I wanna Com