Dhanu Yatra is a unique festival celebrated at
Baragarh in
Orissa. It reenacts
Lord Krishna's visit to
Mathura to witness the ceremony of 'Bow' organized by 'Kansa', as described in the
Bhagavata Purana.
Dhanu Yatra Festival falls in the months of December or January every year and continues for 11 days. During the festival the entire area of Baragarh is ruled by Kansa. The town of Baragarh becomes Mathura, the river Jira becomes Yamuna and the village 'Amapalli' on the other bank of the river becomes 'Gopa'.
During the festival, different acts of the puranic description are performed in various parts of the region with the entire topography of Baragarh being rendered into the elements of drama. Unlike stage shows, this play moves through different parts of area. The venue changes along with the change in scenes. The crowd puller of the festival is the sight of Kansa touring the area atop a caparisoned elephant along with his minister and soldiers.
