The 76th edition of the renowned Dhanu Yatra got underway on Friday in Bargarh, Odisha, with the installation of the holy flag (Subha Dhwaja) and sacred pillar (Subha Stambha). Opening on January 15 and lasting till January 25, the 11-day event in the western Odisha town of Bargarh is regarded as the largest open-air theatre in the world.
The Dhanu Yatra, a celebration commemorating the triumph of virtue over evil, was observed at the Samaleswari temple located in Bargarh. The yearly event, which is based on Krishna Leela, started in 1947–1948 as a part of the nation’s Independence Day celebrations. The royal priest held an Ashtakala Naga Puja at the spot, and the Subha Stambha was founded amid religious zeal. The celebration turns Amapali, the place where Lord Krishna is supposed to have spent his early years, into Gopapura and Bargarh into King Kansa’s Mathura. Between the two locations, the Jeera River empties into the Yamuna River.
Celebration of Dhanu Yatra
The ‘Dhanu Yatra’ festival, the largest open-air theatre festival began after a gap of two years, in Bargarh at Odisha. The vibrant Dhanu Yatra is associated with the culture of Odisha. The Festival is being held from December 27 to Jan 6, 2023. Several artists from 130 cultural troupes from across the country are scheduled to perform during the festival. Around 3,000 artists from 130 cultural troupes from across the country are participating in the festival. However, Kansa is the central attraction of the Dhanu Yatra.
Additionally, The Ambapaali hamlet, which is presently a ward of the Bargarh municipality, becomes Gopapura, the main municipality area becomes the medieval town of Mathura Nagari, and the river Jeera becomes the Yamuna. The mythological Kalindi Lake is a pond near Ambapali at the bank of the Jeera River. Nishamani School Ground has served as the festival’s Rangamahal – Cultural stage since 2005.
Dhanu Yatra Festival: A Look Back
The Dhanu Yatra, a celebration of India’s independence, began in 1947-48 as a way to end British misrule. It is performed annually at the end of the harvesting of paddy in Bargarh, India. The 11-day event transforms the entire area of Bargarh town and surrounding sub-urban parts into the kingdom of KANSA, known as ‘The Mathura Nagari’. The river Jeera flows by Bargarh, transcribed as ‘Jamuna’, while ‘Ambapali’ becomes ‘Gopapura’ according to mythological nomenclature.
The Dhanu Yatra, a festival celebrated by the Hindu community, was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The festival, which took place from December 31, 2019, to January 10, 2020, was halted due to the state government’s restrictions and the need to ensure public safety.
Comments 1