Bargarh: The Dhanu Jatra, the largest open-air theatre in the world, kicked off with a colourful inauguration programme at Odisha’s Bargarh town on Monday evening. It was inaugurated by Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari, MLA Debesh Acharya, District Collector Monisha Banerjee, and SP Prahlad Sahai Meena.
The 11-day annual theatre, first staged in 1947 to celebrate India’s Independence, is celebrating its 76th anniversary this year and is performed on several stages built over an area of an 8-km radius in Bargarh municipality and adjoining areas. The theme of this world-famous open-air theatre is ‘Mathura Vijay’ – the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Kansa.
According to mythology demon king Kansa tries to kill his nephew Lord Krisha in various ways but in the end, Lord Krishna destroys the demon king and frees the people of Mathura from his evil rule.
On this occasion, the Bargarh town is decorated to represent Mathura, while the nearby Ambapali village turns into the mythological Gopapura. Similarly, the Jeera River near Bargarh is considered as Yamuna during Dhanu Jatra. All residents of Bargarh and adjoining areas consider themselves to be Kansa’s subjects during the festival.
The grandeur of the festival can be better understood from the fact that the Bargarh district administration made an elephant, four camels, and several horses available for the enactment of ‘Mathura Vijay’, which enacts the time from Lord Krishna’s childhood to the death of Kansa over 11 days.
For several years, the Marwari Dharmachaya was used to represent the royal palace during the festival. But this time, GD Goyal Dharmachaya, which is located on the side of the road, will be turned into a Raj Mahal, said Sureshwar Shetpathi, the host of the Dhanu Jatra organising committee.
On Tuesday, dignitaries will inaugurate the Rang Mahal in the Lok Mandap area. Today’s episode will include the birth of Lord Krishna in the prison at Samalswari Mandap and Basudeva’s journey to Gopapur with him. He will meet Ugrasen and return to Mathura with a girl.
Various cultural teams from across Odisha and even outside the state are scheduled to perform at the court of demon king Kansa during the festival this year.
