Bhubaneswar: Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik marked the auspicious occasion of Puri Rath Yatra with a grand sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, accompanied by 100 miniature sand chariots on Puri Beach.
The massive artwork, created early Thursday morning, captured the spirit of the festival as lakhs of devotees thronged the Grand Road for the divine procession of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
At the centre of the installation stood a detailed sand sculpture of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath. Surrounding the main deity, Pattnaik and his team carved 100 small chariots in perfect symmetry, symbolizing the grand Ratha of the Trinity that rolls out during Rath Yatra. The waves in the background added to the visual appeal, drawing crowds of devotees and tourists who stopped to take photos. The entire piece was created on the shores of Puri Beach, just a few kilometers from the Jagannath Temple, turning the coastline into a temporary gallery for the festival.
Sharing the artwork, Pattnaik wrote on social media: “Jai Jagannath! On the auspicious occasion of #RathYatra, I created a sand sculpture of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath with hundred chariots at Puri Beach, Odisha. May the divine blessings of the Lord bring peace, joy, and prosperity to all.”
Pattnaik, known globally for his sand art on social and cultural themes, creates a new sculpture every year during Rath Yatra. His works have become a signature part of the festival celebrations in Puri, blending traditional devotion with contemporary art.
