Puri: As the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya dawns, celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has once again captured the spirit of devotion through his art.
Pattnaik created a beautiful and vibrant sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on Puri Beach, marking the sacred beginning of chariot construction for the world-famous Rath Yatra.
The striking sand art depicts the three deities adorned in bright pink attire and floral decorations, standing majestically against the backdrop of the rolling waves of the Bay of Bengal. In front of the divine trio, three wooden logs — symbolic of the chariot wheels or axles — are placed, representing the commencement of the grand chariot-making process that traditionally begins on Akshaya Tritiya. At the base, the artist has carved the powerful chant “Jai Jagannatha” in bold red letters, along with sacred Odia inscriptions, adding a deep spiritual touch to the creation.
Sharing the image on his X handle, Sudarsan Pattnaik wrote:“Jai Jagannatha. On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the construction of chariots for the world-famous annual Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath begins today. My sand art at Puri Beach, Odisha.”
In Odisha, the day holds special significance as it marks the start of the iconic Rath Yatra preparations in Puri, alongside agricultural rituals and the sacred Chandan Yatra.
