The Dhanu Yatra of Bargarh, Odisha, often called the world's largest open-air theatre, is dedicated to:

The Dhanu Yatra is an annual festival held in the town of Bargarh and its surrounding villages in western Odisha. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna and re-enacts the story of Krishna and his evil uncle, King Kansa of Mathura, as told in the Bhagavata Purana. It is often described as the largest open-air theatre in the world.

The Dhanu Yatra is held for 11 days in the month of Pausha (December-January). During the festival, the whole town of Bargarh becomes the stage. The town itself becomes Mathura, the kingdom of Kansa; the river Jira becomes the river Yamuna; and the village of Ambapali, across the river, becomes Gopapura (Gokul), where Krishna grows up. The story is performed in sequence over the 11 days, from the marriage of Devaki and Vasudeva and the birth of Krishna to the killing of Kansa. The actor who plays Kansa becomes the "king" of Bargarh during the festival. He rides an elephant through the town, holds court, and is allowed to "punish" government officials, ministers and ordinary people who visit, imposing fines on them in a light-hearted way. The festival ends with the killing of Kansa by Krishna and Balarama. The name "Dhanu Yatra" refers to the "dhanu" (bow) ceremony organised by Kansa to which he invites Krishna, and to the month of Dhanu.

The festival is believed to have started in 1947-48, to celebrate India's independence, with the victory of Krishna over the tyrant Kansa symbolising the victory of the people over British rule. It draws lakhs of visitors, and the Government of Odisha supports it. In 2014, the Dhanu Yatra was recognised as a national festival by the Government of India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Lord Rama is honoured in the Ramlila performed during Dussehra.
• ✗Lord Shiva is honoured at Maha Shivratri.
• ✗Lord Hanuman is honoured at Hanuman Jayanti.