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The world’s largest open
air theatre, Dhanu Yatra, was inaugurated in Bargarh, Odisha. This eleven day
cultural festival transforms the town into the mythical city of Mathura,
celebrating mythology, tradition, and performance.
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Celebrated with immense
devotion and artistic grandeur, Dhanu Yatra attracts thousands of visitors from
across Odisha and other parts of the country.
Dhanu Yatra
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Duration: Eleven days
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Theme: Mythological
re-enactment of Lord Krishna’s life, from his birth to the death of his demon
uncle, King Kansa
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Unique Feature: The
entire town of Bargarh transforms into the mythical city of Mathura, with
streets, palaces, and courtyards turning into live performance spaces.
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Key locations include the
Rangamahal and Nanda Raja’s court.
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Unlike conventional
theatre, Dhanu Yatra blurs the boundary between performers and audience,
creating a dynamic, interactive storytelling experience.
Transformation of Bargarh into Mythical
Mathura
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During Dhanu Yatra, the
town of Bargarh is symbolically transformed into the ancient city of Mathura.
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Streets, palaces,
riverbanks and courtyards turn into performance zones, blurring the line
between real life and mythology.
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Key locations such as the
Rangamahal, Nanda Raja’s court, and public spaces become live stages where
episodes from Krishna’s life are enacted in sequence, allowing spectators to
witness mythology unfold around them.
Significance
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Cultural Heritage:
Preserves and promotes the mythological stories of Lord Krishna in a traditional,
community-centered format
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Community Participation:
Residents actively participate, playing roles and helping stage performances,
fostering local engagement
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Tourism & Economy:
Attracts thousands of visitors from Odisha and across India, boosting local tourism
and associated economic activity
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Recognition: The Central
Government has accorded National Festival status to Dhanu Yatra, highlighting
its cultural importance on a national scale
