Bargarh: Amid the ongoing Dhanu Jatra festivities, demon king Kansa on Sunday “fined” the Transport Department with a penalty of 12 lakh gold coins over poor sanitation and inadequate civic amenities at the Bargarh government bus stand.
As part of his traditional citizen-outreach programme during the festival, Kansa Maharaj inspected various localities of Bargarh town, including the government bus stand. Expressing strong displeasure over unhygienic conditions and lack of basic facilities, he summoned officials of the Transport Department to his court.
Following the inspection, Kansa imposed a penalty of 7 lakh gold coins for poor sanitation and inadequate infrastructure at the bus stand. An additional fine of 5 lakh gold coins was levied on the officials for what he termed an “inordinate delay” in appearing before him.
“I had received several complaints from citizens regarding the lack of proper facilities at the Bargarh bus stand. After inspecting the site today, I imposed a fine of 7 lakh gold coins for poor sanitation and other issues. The officials were also penalised 5 lakh gold coins for delaying their deposition,” Kansa Maharaj said. He further directed the Transport Department to take strict steps to curb drunken driving in the town.
The Bargarh Dhanu Jatra, widely regarded as the world’s largest open-air theatre, began on December 24 and will continue till January 3. The 11-day festival is staged across an eight-kilometre radius covering Bargarh municipality and surrounding areas.
Celebrated on the theme of ‘Mathura Vijay’, the festival depicts the triumph of Lord Krishna over his maternal uncle, the demon king Kansa. During the event, Bargarh town transforms into the mythological Mathura Nagari, while nearby Ambapali village is portrayed as Gopapura. The Jeera river, flowing close to Bargarh, is symbolically treated as the Yamuna.
In a unique tradition, residents of Bargarh assume the role of subjects of demon king Kansa throughout the festival. Episodes from the childhood of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram are enacted daily as part of the grand theatrical performance.
According to local residents, Dhanu Jatra has been organised in Bargarh since 1947. The festival was first held to commemorate India’s Independence from British rule and has since evolved into one of Odisha’s most iconic cultural events.
