Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik creates 125 sand chariots on Puri beach

Puri: Eminent sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has created 125 sand chariots and a sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, at Puri beach in Odisha on the eve of the Rath Yatra on Thursday.

Sudarsan, who has already a record of creating 100 sand chariots, in Limca Books of World Record, Iis now attempting to create another record by carving out 125 sand chariots on the Puri beach.

Students of his sand art Institute joined hand with Pattnaik and he took about 14 hours to complete these sculptures.

The international artist says sand art is believed to have originated during Rath Yatra in the 16th century through Balaram Das, a staunch devotee of Jagannath and famous poet.

Patnaik said Balaram Das was once humiliated by servitors and not allowed to pull the chariots during Rath Yatra. He then went to the beach and sculpted chariots on the sand.

Sudarshan appealed to people to avoid using single-use plastics and keep the environment clean during this Ratha Yatra.

So far Sudarsan has participated in more than 60 International sand sculpture championships and festivals around the World and won many prizes for the country. (UNI)