Bargarh: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday announced that the state government would construct a permanent Raj Mahal for King Kansa with more than Rs 12 crore in Bargarh.
The chief minister made the announcement during a visit to Bargarh to attend the Dhanu Yatra, which is claimed as the biggest open-air theatre in the world. He went riding a decorated elephant around the town from Kalyan Mandap to appear before King Kansa in the latter’s durbar.
Addressing the people from the durbar, Majhi said his government has drawn up several plans for promotion of Dhanu Yatra at international level and development of Bargarh.
“As part of our support to Dhanu Yatra, the government will construct a permanent and attractive Raj Mahal of King Kansa at a cost of Rs 12.8 crore in Bargarh. It will help the organisers host the event in a more grand and colourful way,” he said.
In order to attract more visitors and tourists to the annual festival, the government would spend Rs 30 crore for upgradation and beautification of Bargarh canal. Besides, an anicut would be constructed over Jeera river with a budget of Rs 80 crore, he added.
Before the start of the festival, the chief minister had announced to raise the government aid to Dhanu Yatra from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore and Rs 10,000 honorarium for each of 170 artists participating in the mythological play. The 11-day Yatra will conclude on Monday.
MLAs Ashwini Kumar Sarangi of Bargarh, Nihar Ranjan Mahanand of Attabira, Sanat Kumar Gartia of Bijepur and Irasis Acharya of Bhatli were present on the occasion.
Dhanu Yatra is based on Krishna Leela and showcases the mythological story of Krishna and his uncle Kansa. During the Yatra, Bargarh town 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.
