BARGARH, Jan. 8 -- The 71st edition of the world famous Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh has started on December 31. The festival enacting a story of the killing of demon king Kansa will end on January 10.
As the story gets enacted in open-air theatre, the Bargarh town has virtually transformed into Mathuranagar, the capital of King Kansa while the nearby Ambapali village across the Jeera river has become Gopapura, the abode of Lord Krishna. Needless to say, now river Jeera is taken for granted as the Yamuna. Jeera flows between the Bargarh headquarters town and Ambapali.
During the festival, Maharaja Kansa rules the roost in the length and breadth of the town. He also issues orders at his camp courts and everybody bows to him and follows his order...