Annual open air theatrical performance in Odisha, India
Dhanu jatra
Kansa of Bargarh Dhanu Jatra
Also called
World's largest open air theatre
Observed by
Residents of Bargarh and Ambapali with other non-local visitors
Begins
Pausha Shukla Chaturthi
Ends
Pausha Purnima
Related to
Sri Krishna, Kansa
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.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] 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.[8] 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.[7] The department of Culture of the Government of India has accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra in November 2014.[9]
^Dash, Prakash. "Dhanu Yatra World's biggest open-air theatre". Newsonair.com. News on Air: All India Radio. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^"Dhanu Jatra". Festivalsofindia.in. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^Mohapatra, Prabhukalayan (2005). "Dhanuyatra of Bargarh : World's Biggest Open-Air-Theatre" (PDF). Orissa Review. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^Mishra, Biranchi (20 December 2008). "Dhanu Yatra: Largest Open Air Ethnic Theatre". ISKCON News. Archived from the original on 19 March 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^"Other States / Orissa News : Bargarh gears up for Dhanu Yatra". The Hindu. 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013. The 11-day cultural extravaganza is globally known as world's largest open-air theatre.
^"All of Bargarh's a stage for Dhanu Yatra". The Times of India. 2011. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2013. It is also referred to as the world's biggest open-air theatre
^ abDehury, Chinmaya (27 December 2015). "Odisha town turns into Mathura for world's biggest open air theatre". Sify. IANS. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
^Koshal Discussion and Development Forum
^"National fest tag to Bargarh Dhanu Yatra". The Times Of India.
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