What is "dhanu"

In the Hinduism, Dhanu Yatra, is a festival holiday relating to Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura. This visit was made to witness the ceremony of dhanu "bow". This event is observed in a colourful festival at Bargarh, Odisha.

During this festival, which runs from 16 December until the beginning of January, Bargarh becomes known as Mathura, the Jura River becomes Yamuna and the village Amapalli, (which is situated on the other bank of the river), becomes Gokul.

Different acts of puranic descriptions are performed at specific locations and the spectators move from place to place with the action to follow the performance. During this festival the Lord is offered sweetened rice flakes which are specially prepared in a conical shape.

The festival is also referred to as Dhanu Sankranti.

Dhanu is also name of the month in the Malayalam Calendar, mainly used by people of Kerala state in India, women celebrate Thiruvathira in this month. Thiruvathira is supposed to be the birthday of Lord Shiva. Married women and girls do 'upavasa' (fasting) on that day, and sing and dance. Girls pray to Lord Shiva to get a good husband while married women pray for the longevity of their husbands.