annual Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, which concluded on Friday this year, is always full of attractions. Mainly its content and colourful stage designs are eye-catching. Art is the name of the drama that arises from a state of happiness or sadness. This is fully reflected in the performance of the characters in the Dhanu Yatra. Although it is based on mythological material, it is also intimately related to local issues and customs.
The yatra was first started from Dhanu Sankranti in 1947 and ended in Pusha Purnima in 1948. From December 27 the world famous Dhana Yatra of Bargarh has started and will end on January 6. This year the 75th Diamond Jubilee is being celebrated.
It is a huge free stage drama. Every year, the journey starts from the 5th-6th day of Pausha Suklapakshya and ends on Pausa Purnima day. Spread over eleven days, the journey attracts lakhs of spectators from Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The theme of the journey is mythological.
From the mythological marriage of Devaki-Vasudeva and the birth of Lord Krishna, the story unfolds during the journey from Lord Gopalila to the death of the tyrant Kansa. The specialty of Dhanu Yatra is that for 11 days the city of Bargarh takes the place of Mathura city and the nearby village Ambapali turns to Gopapur and the Jira river turns to Yamuna which flows between these two places.
Kansa's huge Darbar in Hatpada ground of Bargarh, Kansa's huge cultural stage 'Rangmahal' in Nishamani school ground are the main sources of attraction. Scenes from Nandotsav, Dadhichori, Rakshyasa Rakshyasi Nidhan and Rasakrida are performed at the foot of the Kadamba tree in mango grove in Ambapali, Kaliya Dahan scene at Fakira Bandh and Nabkeli scene at Manabandh. A huge stage is built for Kansa Darbar at Hatpada in the middle of the city of Bargarh. For ten days from the beginning of the journey, King Kansa travels around the city with his great ministers, camels, horses and others, sitting on a well equipped elephant. If they see any violation of law or disorder in any place, they impose punishment and collect fines. If necessary, heads of various departments and individuals are called to the Darbar.
The most remarkable thing is that for the 11-day long journey, Kansa Maharaj rules the roost. No one disobeys his orders. After the tour of the city, the royal court begins. After the State ceremony, local artists from Odisha and other provinces participate in folk dance, Sanchar Sangeet, etc and entertainment programmes at Rang Mahal. During the entire journey, the pride and arrogance of King Kansa and his dialogue woos the yatra revellers.
The yatra ends on the day of Pausha Purnima marking the death of Kansa, the fall of monarchy and the triumph of democracy. Usually Pausha Purnima is celebrated as "Chherchhera", the festival of liberation in this region. With lakhs of people thronging Bargarh from different parts of the country irrespective of caste, creed, religion and color, the Dharu Yatra celebrates our tradition and cultural life.