The famous 11-day Dhanuyatra festival kick- started here on Friday.
At the inauguration function, Bargarh MP Dr Prabhas Sing, MlA Debesh Acharya, district Collector Anjan Kumar Manik, ADM P Kumar Gadatia, convener Dhanuyatra Committee Sureswar Sapathy, Municipality Chairman Prasanta Kumar Behera and DIPRO Kalayani Das among others were present.The Yatra signifies the rule of king Kansa which starts from December 26 and ends with his symbolic death on January 5. The festivities which include the biggest open theatric performance attract people from far and wide. Efforts have been made by the State Tourism department to highlight the festivities internationally.
The first day of the Yatra in the evening began with the marriage of Devaki and Vasudev in true regal style. At the same time, king Kansa get a celestial warning. He ascended to the throne of Mathura by dethroning Ugrasen and later, incarcerates Devaki and Vasudev whom he took for granted as his foes. On the other side, in Gopapura king Nanda and queen Josoda worship for being blessed with a male child.Bargarh town has virtually transformed into Mathuranagar, the capital of king Kansa, while the nearby Ambapali village across the river Jeera has turned Gopapura. The festive aura will continue to grip the town for the next 10 days.