Bargarh: World's largest open air theatre - Dhanu Yatra - kicked off today in Bargarh district of Odisha and with it began the reign of demon king ‘Kansa.’
The 11-day-long festival was inaugurated by MP Prasanna Acharya in presence of Bargarh MP Prabhas Singh and local MLA Debesh Acharya.
The Dhanu Yatra, which is the theatrical enactment of the mythological tale of Lord Krishna, will see Bargarh town adorn the guise of Mathura Nagari, while Ambapalli has been decked up as Gopapura to witness the 'Krishna Leela.' The Bargarh town or the Mathura Nagari, will be the capital city of Kansa’s kingdom while Hatapada will be the tyrant king’s Raj Darbar (Royal Court). The ‘Rangmahal’ has been set up at the Lokmandap ground of Nishamani School.
"We hope that with the help and coordination Bargarh people, this year's Dhanu Yatra will be a grand success and people will enjoy it to the hilt," President of Dhanu Yatra Mahotsav, Indramani Tripathy said.
The first day of the Dhanu Yatra today will feature Devaki-Basudev's marriage, beginning of Kansa’s reign after Ugrasen’s defeat, and Devaki & Basudev’s imprisonment.