DHANU YATRA | IAS GYAN

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Context: The ‘Dhanu Yatra’ festival began after a gap of two years, in Bargarh at the Odisha.

Details:

Dhanu Jatra or Dhanu Yatra is an annual drama-based open air theatrical performance celebrated in Bargarh, Odisha.
Spread across a 8 km radius area around the Bargarh municipality, it is world's largest open air theater, one that finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records.
It is based on mythological story of Krishna (locally known as Krushna), and his demon uncle Kansa.
Originating in Bargarh, in the present day play, the enactments of the play are being performed in many other places in Western Odisha.
The major one of these is the original one at Bargarh.
It 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. Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha was fined once along with his ministers.
The department of Culture of the Government of India has accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra on November 2014