A scene from Kansa’s royal court at the Bargarh Dhanujatra. Picture by Surendra Hota

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: The famous Bargarh Dhanujatra has transformed the towns of Bargarh and Ambapalli into a big open-air theatre where episodes from the life of Lord Krishna and his victory over his tyrant uncle Kansa are depicted for a period of eleven days.

Every year during the month of Pausa in the Hindu calendar, which is also known as the month of the Sagittarius or Dhanu, the Dhanujatra festival is celebrated from the fifth day of the bright fortnight to the full moon day.

During the occasion, artistes enact the characters of Kansa’s story. This year the festival began on Sunday.

The story began with King Ugrasen arranging the marriage of daughter Devaki with King Vasudev.

However, prince Kansa dethrones his father Ugrasen and puts him into prison. He organises the marriage of his sister but then sends the newly weds to prison when he comes to know their eighth son will kill him in future.

All these scenes will be performed everyday on the streets of the town as well as at various makeshift stages such as Ranga Mahal (Kansa’s court), Kansa’s prison and Gopapura in Ambapalli where Krishna grows up.

Visitors from outside the town and local people have thronged the streets and the various venues to watch the performances.

“The entire festival is amazing when Kansa rides over an elephant and asks the policemen, authorities and the public to be socially responsible and be good human beings,” says Bhabani Naik, a local resident.

“During these 11 days of festivities, people actually start showing respect to all of us as the characters we play. It is a wonderful experience for us too,” says Hrushikesh Bhoi, the artiste who is playing Kansa. The authorities support the locals to organise the festival, which began in 1948.

Folk dances and other cultural items are also showcased during the festival at Ranga Mahal. On Monday, troupes from Koraput, Ganjam, Purulia and other places performed folk dance.