Sambalpur, Jan. 24: The 11-day Dhanu yatra today concluded in Bargarh with the death of king Kansa and the coronation of Ugrasen.

The festival takes one back to the time of the epic Mahabharat. During this time, Bargarh, the small west Odisha town, is transformed into the kingdom of Mathura. The Jeera river of Bargarh becomes Yamuna and Amapali, which is located on the outskirts of the town, is transformed into Gopapura.

The entire town becomes a massive stage for the 11 days. The tyrannical rule of Kansa, his death and the exploits of Lord Krishna are enacted in 14 main places in Mathura and Gopapura. The king, during his 11-day rule in Bargarh, dethrones Ugrasen and captures the throne, imprisons sister Devaki and brother-in-law Basudev and hatches a conspiracy to kill Krishna as well asBalaram.

"This mass festival came into existence in 1947-48 to celebrate the country's Independence. The festival had begun to mark the victory of good over the evil," said secretary of Dhanu yatra committee Sureswar Satpathy.

Around 2,700 artists from 135 cultural groups from across Odisha and from neighbouring states performed in the Dhanu yatra this year. The shows were attended by a huge number of enthusiastic crowd.

"During the event, Kansa moves around the city and catches offenders on the streets and slaps fine on them. He also enters government offices and pulls up undisciplined officials. The residents become his obedient subjects. The rule of Kansa symbolises the oppressive rule of the British and the coronation of Ugrasen symbolises the beginning of democracy," said a member of the publicity committee of Dhanu yatra, Rabi Panda.

Though the mythical king is not favoured for his actions, Kansa in Bargarh wins many hearts. Lakhs of visitors who witness the festival fondly remember the pleasant tyranny and wait for him till the next year.

"King Kansa is dead. The king will continue to rule our heart till the next year," said a visitor Bhumika Panda.