Dhanu Jatra – A Symbol of Odia Culture, Heritage and Pride: Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj
Bhubaneswar, 29th Dec, 2024: The much-celebrated Dhanu Jatra- 2025 will be held in Bargarh district from 3rd January to 13th January, showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and tradition. The Odisha government is taking significant steps to elevate the festival to international recognition, as detailed by the Culture Minister Shri Surjyabanshi Suraj, during a press briefing today.
To ensure the success of the festival, Rs 1 crore has been allocated for Dhanu Jatra. Additionally, Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned for activities such as live broadcasting of Dhanuyatra, creating a dedicated website for the festival, and other associated expenses.
For the first time, the event will be live-streamed across major locations in Odisha, including Bhubaneswar, using LED screens.
Around 170 participating artists will receive a token honorarium of Rs 10,000 each. Additionally, the National School of Drama will produce a documentary on Dhanu Jatra to showcase its cultural significance.
A dedicated expert committee will be formed to work towards obtaining UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for Dhanu Jatra. The government is also launching a dedicated website that will provide comprehensive information about the festival, including its history, venues and real-time GPS-enabled navigation for visitors.
Notable artists like Arun Govil (known for playing Lord Ram), Nitish Bharadwaj (famous for portraying Lord Krishna) and Hema Malini, the MP from Mathura, will be invited to the Danu Jatra-2025.
It is pertinent to mention here that during Dhanu Jatra, Bargarh transforms into the mythical cities of Mathura, Gopapur vividly reenacting episodes from Indian mythology.
The live broadcasting of the festival is timed with the Prabasi Bharatiya Divas, enabling a global audience to witness the event and understand its cultural essence.
Minister Suraj concluded by emphasizing the government’s unwavering support to make Dhanu jatra-2025 a grand success and a cultural milestone for Odisha.
