Dhanu Yatra from tomorrow

This year, Dhanu Yatra will be held from January 17 to January 27, 2013. Dhanu Yatra is one of the biggest open air theater festivals in the world and is held in the Pushya month (December – January) at Bargarh District in Orissa.

The theatrical performance is based on the stories of Lord Krishna – for the performance Bargarh and nearby places are transformed into Mathura and other places in Lord Krishna stories.

Dhanu Yatra is a 11-day festival and it chronicles the birth of Krishna and his childhood Leelas, visiting Mathura and the killing of Kansa. Bargarh is converted to Mathura and Ambapalli village on the outskirts of the town is the Gopapura (Lord Krishna’s village) and the river Jira which flows in between is river Yamuna. This drama is hosted in 14 open air theaters.

“Dhanuyatra” happens to be a great mass festival of Odisha which is based on the exploits of Lord Krishna. Whenever the virtuous and the righteousness are demoralized and the sinners are at the top of the Supreme. Being, the Almighty God, manifess himself on Earth to protect the saints and innocents as well as to destroy the wicked. In fact, in all the ages and in every religion God has been manifesting himself with a purpose.

In Dwapara Age, Lord Krishna, the very incarnation of God, appeared in Aryabarta with a view to destroying Kansa, the cruel king and the unjust Kauravas. The great exploits of Lord Krishna has been instrumental in the creation of folk tales, music, art, literature and mythology. Thus, Lord Krishna has become an integral part of our life, our culture and our civilization. He is conveniently used as the central point of reference of values, philosophy and religion in India.