Post News Network
Bargarh, Dec 29: Dhanuyatra Mahotsav, the world’s largest open-air theatre, would be enacted on a different stage this year to make the festival more attractive and ensure its smooth conduct, Mahotsav committee sources said.
In the last four days of the festival, the royal court of emperor Kansa would be set up at Nishamani High School ground instead of Hatapada due to security reasons. The change in venue is the first in the history of the festival. However, Rangamahal Mancha would be set up at Hatapada to provide joy to viewers, the committee said.
An important meeting of the working committee presided over by its president and collector Anjan Kumar Manik was held Monday evening at the collectorate in this regard.
According to the earlier ritual, Mathura, the capital city of Kansa’s kingdom comprised three important venues of this town – Raj Mahal (Marwari Dharmashala), Ranga Mahal (Nishamani High School ground) and Raj Darabar (Hatapada) – where the actors performed their parts. However, Hatapada draws more crowds in comparison to the other places because of the extended presence of Kansa.
In view of the increasing footfalls, Hatapada is not safe rather hazardous, SP Ashis Kumar Singh said in the meeting, a view which also got the backing of the collector.
Singh emphasised on the shifting of the royal court to some other spread out place. Finally, the members zeroed in on the school ground.
However, some members were of the view that the shifting of the court would hurt the sentiments of Hatapada residents.
But, it was unanimously decided to hold the programme at the school ground during the last four days of the festival in the larger interests of the people. Enactment on the other seven days would continue like the previous years, the collector said.
Besides, the stretch between Gandhi Chhak and Thana Chhak would be illuminated during the Mahotsav. The committee deposited Rs 2 lakh with the municipality to clean the patch next to the school ground and the one close to the bus stand.
It was, however, learnt that there is a plan in place to shift the Dhanuyatra Manch to Danikata where a swimming pool would also be constructed.
Additional district magistrate Pradip Kumar Gardia, sub-collector Vincent Poonamkant Ekka, ASP Satyanarayan Panda, DSP SM Rehman, project director of DRDA Batakrushna Dehuri, chief district medical officer Prakash Pradhan and other district officials took part in the meeting.