Preparations Of Dhanu Yatra At Final Stage

Bargarh, Jan 9: The stage is set for the famous 11-day annual Dhanu Yatra which will begin on January 11 at Bargarh. While Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay is the central theme of the festival  will see its culmination with Kansa Badha at the hands of Lord Krishna.

On the opening day, a huge colourful procession, accompanied by folk dancers and musicians , will reach  the Kansa darbar at Hatpada from the Ma Samaleswari temple.

During the yatra, the district headquarters town Bargarh  turns into a virtual Mathura nagari of the mythology with Kansa ruling the roost.

Dressed in full regalia he moves round the town on a caparisoned elephant issuing order and pulling up errant officials, including the Collectors and the top police personnel.

For the second time, the organisers have selected Bhubaneswar Pradhan to perform the role of Kansa. He was selected among 23 strong aspirants last year after a stiff challenge of senior artists.

The Dhanu Yatra is considered to be the biggest open air theatre in the world with the whole town decked up as Mathura and everybody considered themselves as an actors. Since the portrayal of Kansa is the main attraction of the festival, every artist worth his salt aspires to essay the role.

The geographical setting of Bargarh municipal limits also conforms to Mathura where King Kansa ruled. The river Jeera represents the Yamuna across which is situated Ambapali village which turns into Gopapur where Krishna was brought up.

Meanwhile, massive preparations have been made by the district administration and the Dhanu Yatra Mahotsav Samiti for smooth celebration of the annual festival. According to Sureswara Satpathy, president of the organising committee, various State level cultural troupes, including the locals, will participate in the cultural events organised at the main venue Hatpada.

To add colour to the festival, a State-level handloom exhibition-cum-sale will be held by Samalpuri Bastralaya and the Development Commissioner of Handloom.  Weavers from Boudh, Dhenkanal, Balangir, Khordha and Brahmapur have arrived to put up their handloom products in the makeshift stalls.