The ‘Subhastamba Sthapana’, popularly known as ‘Indradhwaja Stapana’, for the 68th national Dhanu Yatra Mohotsav at Bargarh completed with traditional Puja in the temple of Maa Samaleswari on Sunday last.
ADM Bijay Kumar Rath performed the Puja in the temple since Bargarh Collector AK Manik, president of the yatra committee, was on leave. All other important personalities of the district and the members of the yatra committee were also present.
“With Subhastamba Stapana, the process for the world famous Dhanu Yatra Mahotsav, said to be the world’s biggest open air theatre, has begun in the town,” informed committee convenor Sureswar Satapathy.
After the traditional Puja, a large cultural procession went round the town that finally reached Hatapada to inform people as to the beginning of the Dhanu Yatra and appealed people for a grand preparation for the occasion which has been accorded a national festival status in last few years.
The Purohit (priest) worshiped lord Indra and Dasadigapal for smooth completion of the fest. At the same time, Maa Purnamashi was also worshipped. “Maa Purnamashi’s blessing is required for successful celebration of the festival,” informed the priest.
Further, a similar celebration will also be held on December 16 in the other end of Bargarh town at Ambapali that will turn as ‘Gopapura’ during the yatra.
Notably, it is the Maharaja Kansa, not the lord Krishna, who is the main attraction of the 11-day- long festival in Bargarh. This year Hrushikesh Bhoi will perform the role of Kansa like the previous years. The yatra committee has invited him to perform this role by offering him ‘Sree Phala’ (coconut) that he has gladly accepted.