Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bargarh, Jan 2:

The world famous Dhanu Jatra spanning over 11 days took off this evening at western Odisha town of Bargarh amid much fanfare.

Inaugurating the 68th Bargarh Dhanu Jatra, District Collector Anjan Kumar Manik wished all to enjoy the famous religious fair.

The town has been dressed royally transforming into Mathura of Dwapara Yuga.

The 11-day long Jatra will be performed across an area of eight sq km at three Darbars and over 11 open theatres from today to January 12.

The central theme of the Jatra is 'Krishna Leela and Mathura Vijay'.

The town is all set to go under Maharaj Kansha's reign, Ambapali converting into Gopapur and river Jeera transforming into river Jamuna.

To avoid any untoward situation during the Jatra, the district administration has beefed up security in the district.

"We have made elaborate security arrangements with deployment of 12 platoons of police personnel, six DSPs, 10 inspectors and 29 sub inspectors to avoid any untoward situation during the world famous Dhanu Jatra," said Superintendent of Police (SP) B Yugal Kishore.

Following implementation of code of conduct ahead of the rural polls in the state, political leaders have been barred to visit Kansha's Darbar.