Bargarh, Jan 4: The world’s largest open-air theatre festival, the Bargarh Dhanu Yatra, concluded with the dramatic enactment of Kansavadh (slaying of King Kansa) on its final day.  

The 11-day-long cultural extravaganza, which transforms the town of Bargarh into Mathura and Vrindavan, drew massive crowds as the concluding scenes unfolded.  

The festival showcased the triumph of dharma over adharma, with Lord Krishna defeating his tyrant uncle Kansa. The performance began with Kansa’s royal procession through Mathura, followed by his war council with generals and ministers plotting against Krishna and Balaram. Meanwhile, Krishna broke the Shiva bow and killed the mighty elephant Kuvalayapida before entering the royal court.  

Despite warnings from Queen Padmavati, Kansa entered the battlefield but was slain by Krishna and Balaram. The coronation of Ugrasena as king followed, symbolizing the restoration of justice.

Krishna and Balaram then freed Devaki and Vasudeva from prison, bringing joy to the people of Mathura, who celebrated with fireworks and sweets.  

Spread across a 8 km radius area around the Bargarh municipality, Dhanu Yatra is the world's largest open air theater, one that finds a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records. It is based on mythological story of Krishna (locally known as Krushna), and his demon uncle Kansa.  

Originating in Bargarh, in the present day play, the enactments of the play are being performed in many other places in Western Odisha. The major one of these is the original one at Bargarh.[8] It is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram's visit to Mathura to witness the Dhanu ceremony organized by their (maternal) uncle Kansa.  
The plays start with the dethroning of emperor Ugrasena by the angry prince Kansa, over the marriage of his sister Debaki with Basudeba, and ends with death of Kansa, and restoring Ugrasen back to become the king. There is no written script used in these enactments.  

During this festival Kansa can punish people with penalty for their mistakes.