Bhubaneswar: The world-famous Bargarh Dhanu Yatra will begin from January 15 and will continue till January 25 this year.
It was decided after a meeting of the Bargarh Collector with Dhanu Yatra committee members today.
Considered to be the world’s largest open-air theatre, the Dhanu Yatra showcases Lord Krishna’s childhood story.
The plays in the festival start with the dethroning of Emperor Ugrasen of Mathura by angry demon king Kansa over the marriage of his sister Devaki with Vasudev.
During the festival, Bargarh becomes King Kansa’s Mathura, and Amapali, located about eight km away from the district headquarters, becomes Gopapura. The Jeera river which flows between the two places plays the role of Yamuna river.
The rule of Kansa, his death, and the exploits of Lord Krishna are enacted in many places across the area during the open-air festival.
Bargarh becomes King Kansa’s Mathura, and Amapali, located about eight km away, becomes Gopapura, where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his childhood. The Jeera river which flows between the two places becomes the Yamuna river.
The rule of Kansa, his death and the exploits of Lord Krishna are enacted in 14 places across the area during the open-air festival. Politicians and government officers get sucked into the show as the rule of King Kansa holds sway during the ‘Dhanu Yatra’.
The ‘Dhanu Yatra’, which marks the victory of good over evil, came into existence in Bargarh in 1947-48 as part of the celebration of the country’s Independence and is held annually.
