Bargarh, Nov 23:  The 'Dhanu Yatra,' renowned as the world’s largest open-air theatre, is set to kick off on January 15 and will run until January 25, following a consensus reached in a meeting between the Bargarh Collector and the Dhanu Yatra committee.

This festival unfolds the childhood narrative of Lord Krishna, with the plays commencing from the dethronement of Emperor Ugrasen of Mathura by the enraged demon king Kansa. Kansa opposes the union of his sister Devaki with Vasudev, setting the stage for a riveting drama.

Throughout the festivities, Bargarh transforms into the realm of King Kansa's Mathura, while Amapali, situated approximately eight kilometers away, metamorphoses into Gopapura—a representation of the place where Lord Krishna is believed to have spent his early years. Symbolically, the Jeera river, flowing between these two locales, stands in for the Yamuna river.

The unfolding narrative spans Kansa's rule, his eventual downfall, and the extraordinary exploits of Lord Krishna. Bargarh, embodying the essence of King Kansa's Mathura, and Amapali as Gopapura, where Lord Krishna spent his formative years, become the central stages for these dramatic enactments.

The festival sprawls across 14 locations in the area, attracting politicians and government officials who play integral roles in the spectacle, portraying the influence of King Kansa's rule during the 'Dhanu Yatra.'

Having originated in 1947-48 in Bargarh as part of Independence Day celebrations, the 'Dhanu Yatra' has evolved into an annual event symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

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