Observed for 11 days preceding Pausha Poornima - the full moon day of Pausha in December-January, this is the spectacular Dhanuyatra of Bargarh in the western part of Orissa, about 350 kms from Bhubaneswar & 225 kms from Raipur on the National Highway No.-6. Dhanuyatra is the theatrical presentation of Krishna Leela of Devaki with Vashudev till the death of Kansa as described in the scriptures. The entire episode is reenacted, blow by blow.
Incidentally, the geography of Bargarh region totally conforms to the locales of the puranic descriptions and the scenes are enacted at different places in stead of at one place. The city of Bargarh is treated as "Mathura". On the outskirts of Bargarh is the river Jeera, to serve as river "Yamuna"; on the other bank of which is small village Ambapali to become "Gopapura". Even there is a mango grove there to serve as "Vrindaban" and a pond as lake "Kalindi". A gorgeously decorated high rise stage it the heart of Bargarh is erected to serve as the Durbar of Kansa. A live elephant is engaged for the royal transport.
The entire topography of Bargarh within a radius of five kilometers turns into the zone of pay, making in the largest open air theater where the scenes are enacted at their appropriate locations, simultaneously on the appointed days which gives the festival a lively and natural look. Perhaps now here a play has been made to achieve such a vast magnitude with such naturality.
Evidently, Yatra happens to be the extra equivalent of theater that directly relates to the sphere of enactment of the histrionic arts. Depending on the worldly limitations. Yatra has four forms with one side, two side, three side & four or all side spectators, the last being the oldest. For may reasons, Yatra has remained open air though there used to be permanent Yatra halls. Dhanuyatra of Bargarh appears to be the largest open air theatre with oldest form. While elsewhere a limited, a vast field, a long street, an extended open space etc. are improvised, here in Bargarh a whole town with a village including a river is turned into the acting arena. It has also an element of modern technique which calls for the spectators' participation. There is hardly any play where one and all of the spectators are involved in the participation as they are in the Dhanuyatra.
When and how the Dhanuyatra began at Bargarh is not exactly known but it is being organized since 1948 almost regularly every year. The festival might have undergone some changes over years in pomp and ceremony but the massage, "Victory of good over evil, triumph of truth over tyranny" remains.
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