Dhanu Yatra: The world's biggest open air theatre festival
Dhanu Yatra is the world's biggest open air theatre and is held annually in Bargarh in Orissa. This festival is based on Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura to witness the fair organised by Uncle Kansa as mentioned in the Bhagwat Puran.
NOBODY NOW a days dares to disobey Maharaja Kansa. There is no excuse for committing offence in Kansa’s kingdom which has been virtually created in Dhanu Yatra which is also the world's biggest open air theatre festival. Everyone including government servants, politician, businessmen, spectators irrespective of caste, creed and profession becomes the subjects of Maharaj Kansa for eleven days. Dhanu Yatra is the world’s biggest open air theatre festival and is held annually in Bargarh in the Western part of Orissa. This festival is based on Lord Krishna’s visit to Mathura to witness the fair organised by Uncle Kansa as mentioned in the Bhagwat Puran. Bargarh town transforms into Mathura. While nearby Ambapalli village becomes the Gopapura. River Jeera which flows between Bargarh and Ambapalli changes into River Yamuna during the period of ten days.
Interestingly, the festival not only re-enacts mythology but also provides amusement to the people. Maharaj Kansa visits different areas of the town everyday on an elephant top and gets all the due respect. Public utility services like water supplies, electricity, education, and health service are absolutely in top gear, during the reign of Maharaj Kansa. The district collector and magistrate, superintendent of police, other administrative employees along with the local MLA, MP and minister are projected as his representatives.
“During this 11 day festival, we deploy security personnel in every corner of the town and also suspend vehicular traffic inside Bargarh town during the entire period of Yatra, according to Maharaj Kansa’s order”, said Bijaya Kumar Dash, SDPO Bargah.
At Ambapalli, Lord Krishna is the main attention. One can be a part of activities like Nanda Utsav, Bastraharan, Raslila, Navkali etc. In short, the festival starts with the birth of Krishna, then meanders through his childhood and his adolescent mischiefs which are supported by the local people whole heartedly.
“Faith and support of public helps us to organise such a big event. And this year we tried our level best to make this festival more attractive and people oriented” said Bhabghari Mishra , the chairman of organising committee.
People from far away come to Bargarh to be a part of this popular festival. “Personally I love this festival relating to Puranas and this is the 7th time I have come to Bargarh Dhanu Yatra”, said Amit Kumar , a 56 year old spectator from Sonepur district in Orissa.
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The duration of Danu yatra is 11 days. But in second paragraph it??????s mention as ten day. It??????s mistake the mistake of copy editor. Sorry 4 that
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