Reign of King Kansa at Dhanu Yatra starts in Bargarh today

Stage is all set for the 11-day open air theatre Dhanu Yatra in Bargarh town from Monday.
Reign of King Kansa at Dhanu Yatra starts in Bargarh today

BARGARH:Stage is all set for the 11-day open air theatre Dhanu Yatra in Bargarh town from Monday. The district administration, which was adamant on shifting the venue of the Raj Durbar of demon king Kansa from the crammed Hatpada to spacious Nishamani school ground, has agreed to follow the last year’s itinerary.

While king Kansa will hold court at Hatpada for seven days, he will shift to Nishamani School ground from eighth day when the crowd swells up.

Considered as the largest open air theatre of the world, spread over five square kilometres, Bargarh turns into Mathura during the yatra. Ambapali, situated across river Jeera, converts into Gopapur while river Jeera transforms into river Yamuna during the yatra.

With the central theme of the festival revolves around  ‘Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay’, the enactment of day one will begin with king Kansa’s accession to throne followed by wedding of his sister Devaki with Basudev and concludes with ‘Kansa Badha’ at the hands of his nephew Lord Krishna on the day of Pausa Purnima, slated to be held on January 12.  While the enactments at Mathura display king Kansa, the fun and frolic of young Lord Krishna (Balya Leela) is enacted in Gopapur and includes enactment of Vastra Haran, Kalia Dalan, killing of demon warriors including Putuna, Sakata, Truna, Baka and Dhenu.
The enactment at Gopapur ends on the ninth day when Lord Krishna, Balaram and their cohorts arrive at Mathura accompanied by Akrura to participate in Dhanu Yatra. A visitor has to move around to watch the enactments.

The festival is believed to have started after Independence to celebrate the fall of British Imperialism. It also marks the victory of good over evil.

Hrusikesh Bhoi will play the role of King Kansa, the main protagonist of the festival, for the ninth time in a row while Sriyansh Mohapatra will play the role of young Lord Krishna.

Convener of Dhanu Yatra Mahotsav Samiti, Sureswar Satpathy said 75 artistes have been selected to play various characters in the Dhanu Yatra at Mathura while 45 artistes will enact at Gopapur.

This apart, at least 3,000 artistes of 120 cultural troupes from across the country will perform at the Raj Durbar and Ranga Mahal during the festival, he informed.

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The New Indian Express
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