11-Day Dhanu Yatra Kicks-Off In Odisha’s Bargarh Today

Bargarh: The internationally-acclaimed 75th Dhanu Yatra is being held from December 27 (today) to January 6 in Odisha’s Bargarh after a two-year gap due to COVID.

According to sources, Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari and MLA Debesh Acharya will inaugurate the 11-day-long extravaganza at 6 pm on Tuesday.

Dhanu Yatra 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 Dhanu Yatra and its theme is borrowed from ‘Krishna Leela’ and ‘Mathura Vijay’. A Raj Darbar (royal court), 42 feet tall, 120 ft long, and 35 feet wide, for King Kansa, as well as a Rangamahal have been constructed where the actors will entertain spectators with their performances.

Notably, Hrusikesh Bhoi will play the mythological character Kansa this year. This is the 10th time that this native of Chicholi village under Ambabhona Block in Bargarh district will don the grease paint for the ‘Maharaja’s’ role.

The entire Bargarh town will transform into a theatre stage for 11 days, and Kansa will rule the town during this period, while local residents will be his subjects. Kansa, who is the central character of Dhanu Yatra, will conduct his Raj Durbar for seven days.

The central theme of the Dhanu Yatra is based on ‘Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay’. The festival begins with the enactment of king Kansa’s sister Devaki’s wedding with Vasudev and ends with ‘Kansa Badha’ at the hands of his nephew Lord Krishna on the concluding day of the festival.

Several artists from 130 cultural troupes from across the country are scheduled to perform during the festival. Bargarh town is being decked up with lights and colourful gates to make the festival alluring and lively.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 12-year-old child artiste, Shreyas Pujhari, who was selected to play the role of Balaram, passed away on December 11. He was a native of Amapali of Bargarh town.