Odisha: World Biggest Open Air Theatre Dhanu Jatra To Return In Grand Avatar This Year

Bargarh: Two years after COVID restrictions, the world’s biggest open-air theatrical performance, Dhanu Jatra, will be held from December 27 in Odisha’s Bargarh.

A decision to conduct the annual 11-day extravaganza was taken during the general body meeting of the organising committee on Wednesday.

The festival, which is being held in Bargarh since 1947, was cancelled once before during the Indo-Pak war in 1965.  “Since it is the Platinum Jubilee year for Dhanu Jatra, the festival will be celebrated in a grand manner, coinciding with ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of Independence. Decisions regarding the budget, artistes and stage will be taken in the next few meetings,” said Dhanu Jatra Mahotsav Samiti convener Sureswar Satpathy.

The 11-day event will conclude on January 6, 2023.

During the festival, Bargarh is decked up as Mathura, the kingdom of Kansa, while Jeera river becomes the Yamuna and Amapali, on the outskirts of the town, the mythical land of Gopapura. It begins with the demon king and uncle of Lord Krishna ascending the throne and concludes with his death.