Demon Kansa Repents, Says 'Sorry' to
Lord Jagannanth

BY: SUN STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Kansa begs forgiveness in front of Jagannath Temple

Jan 02, JAGANNATHA PURI, ORISSA — Does ‘repentance' suit the infamous stature of the Demon Kansa? Certainly not, if we consider the Krsna Leelas. Strange it may sound, but it happens in real life with Hrushikesh Bhoi, who donned the character of Kansa in the 11-day Dhanu Yatra in Orissa's Bargarh district.

The wicked Kansa was killed by diminutive Lord Krsna, as curtains came down on the drama on Thursday, December 31st. The play might have ended, but the protagonist (Kansa) still had a grand role to play.

Kansa came to Puri Jagannath Temple on Friday to say sorry to the God, for he believed his character was vice in nature and his activities were anti-God. "The play might have ended, but I came to the Lord Jagannath to apologise for my wrongdoings. Though I was doing a mere role in the play, I feel guilty because the character was against the divine creation," said Bhoi.

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And this is not for the first time Kansa came here seeking Lord Jagannath's forgiveness. Artists who had played the role of Kansa in annual Dhanu Yatras in previous years also visited the 12th century shrine to say 'sorry' to the Lord. "As per tradition, Kansa after his death visited Jagannath Temple to apologise for his anti-God activities. I also followed the tradition and came here. I might have played a wicked personality in the play, but I have tremendous devotion for the God," he added.

Dhanu Yatra that kicked off on Monday (December 21st) is considered the world's largest open air theater festival based on Lord Krsna's visit to Mathura. The Bargarh town transforms into Mathura during the 11-day festival, and King Kansa rules the roost during the annual fiesta.

The festival begins with the wedding of Devaki and Vasudeva, then their imprisonment by Kansa and his taking over the reins of Mathura from Ugrasen, then the birth of Krsna. Krsna's leelas end at the festival with the killing of Kansa by Krsna.

Each episode was enacted in different parts of the town. Almost all the people in the town took part of the open air theater performances. The venue of the drama changed along with the change in scenes. The highpoint of the festival was the sight of Kansa touring Bargarh atop a caparisoned elephant along with his minister and soldiers.

Even the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, ministers, members of Parliaments and members of the legislative assembly were the representatives of Kansa. There were instances when Kansa even did not spare the biggies, and imposed fines on them for their wrongdoings.

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