Bargarh: The world’s largest open air theatre festival ‘Dhanu Jatra’ of Bargarh District will begin from 11 January next year, informed district Collector Indramani Tripathy on Monday.
The festival, based on mythological story of Krishna, and his demon uncle Kansa, will conclude on 21 January. It has been decided at the Dhanu Yatra Core Committee meeting here.
Spread across a 6 km radius area around the Bargarh municipality, Dhanu Jatra is the largest drama-based open air theater in the world. It is held annually.
The festival is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram’s visit to Mathura to witness the Dhanu ceremony organized by their (maternal) uncle Kansa. The plays start with the dethroning of emperor Ugrasena by the angry prince Kansa, over the marriage of his sister Debaki with Basudeba, and ends with death of Kansa, and Ugrasen restoring back to become the king.
There is no written script used in these enactments. During this festival Kansa can punish people with penalty for their mistakes.