The 67th edition of the world famous Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh has started on January 14. The 11- day festival will end on January 24.
On the occasion, Bargarh town has become Mathuranagar, the capital of king Kansa, while the nearby Ambapali village across the Jeera river has turned Gopapura, the abode of lord Krishna. Needless to say, the river Jeera is taken for granted as the river Yamuna.
Jeera flows between the Bargarh town and Ambapali. Maharaja Kansa rules the roost in the length and breadth of the town during the festival and makes law in the entire town. His order is considered sacrosanct and binding on all. From Government officials, political representatives to common men- all have to abide by his order; else he gives punishment for violation of law in his territory. During the festival the mighty Kansa moves around on a well-decorated elephant and takes a bird’s eye view of the happenings of the town. Where ever he finds a fault, he takes the person (s) concerned to task.
Where the Kansa Maharaja moves it turns in to a Pandal. It could be an open market, a jail or a national highway. From a resplendent Pandal in the evening, the Maharaja asks the district officials to ensure smooth functioning of his kingdom and directs them to solve the problems of the residents.
The unique festival of Dhanu Yatra is celebrated after the harvesting season. The tired farmers get a lot of pleasure during the events. It is a rich source of entertainment for the people of the locality and all others who visit the town. The play enacted during the festival comprises three mythological episodes of Krishna leela, Mathura Bijaya and Kansa Baddha. The story of lord Krishna killing the tyrannical king Kansa forms the play’s central theme.
Kansa, the maternal uncle of lord Krishna, invites Krishna and his elder brother Balaram to witness and participate in the Dhanu Yatra festivities which is held in his capital Mathura with a malicious intention to get rid of the duo. However, it turns out that Krishna kills his tyrant uncle Kansa and liberates his subjects from his oppressive rule. The play ends with the death of Kansa.
The Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh was started in 1948. Since it was just after the independence, Maharaja Kansa symbolised the imperialist British Government on its way out and lord Krishna stood for the nationalistic aspiration of the people.