Bargarh dhanu yatra to attract tourists from all parts of the world

Following is a report from The Pioneer:

The Dhanu Yatra, one of the biggest open air theatres in the Asian continent, will be held from December 21 to 31 at Bargarh. A decision to project this drama on the world stage was taken at a preparatory meeting held at the State Secretariatunder the chairmanship of Health Minister Prasanna Acharya. Minister of Tourism Debi Prasad Mishra said efforts would be made to make it entertaining and attractive to attract foreign tourists.

Mishra said the grant for the festival would be enhanced in the current year. Held since 58 years, this 11-day festival chronicles the events of the epic of Mahabharat from the birth of Krishna to the death of Kansa. Baragarh is converted to Mathura and Ambapalli village on the outskirts of the town is the Gopapura and the river Jira which flows in between is river Jamuna.

This drama is hosted in 14 open air theaters. Through the tourism department, 60 cultural groups from different States and 200 artists participate.

In the current year, the event will be covered by the Discovery channel and efforts are on to give wide publicity and a tourist package for the programme is being drawn up to attract tourists from around the world.

Tourism Secretary Mona Sharma, the Director of Tourism and the Director of Culture were present.