Bargarh: Dhanu Yatra, said to be the world’s largest open-air theatre, will begin from December 26 in Odisha’s Bargarh district.
A decision in this regard was taken following a preparatory meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting was held by the Dhanu Jatra Mahotsav Committee and the district administration under the chairmanship of Collector Monisha Banerjee.
Among others, Minister Rita Sahu, SP Parmar Smit Parshottamdas, Zilla Parishad Chairman Manini Bhoi, ADM Mirdha Toppo, PD-DRDA Krutibas Rout and members of various other committees were present.
The 11-day festival is based on Krishna Leela and will showcase the mythological story of Krishna and his uncle Kansa.
During Dhanu Jatra, Bargarh transforms into Mathura. River Jeera symbolically represents river Yamuna and Ambapali, which is located on the other side of the river Jeera, turns into Gopapur.
Kansa is the central character of the Dhanu Yatra and its theme is borrowed from ‘Krishna Leela’ and ‘Mathura Vijay’.
The tyrannical rule of Kansa, his death and the ‘Balya Leela’ of Lord Krishna are enacted at 14 main places in Mathura and Gopapur. The 11-day festival begins with birth of Lord Krishna and ends with death of tyrannical Kansa at the hands of his nephew and coronation of Ugrasen. Around 3,000 artistes of 120 cultural troupes from across the country performed during the festival.
