Sudarshan Patnaik, famous sand sculpture from Orissa, has made Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra sand sculpture on the occasion of Rath Yatra 2010 at Puri beach. The renowned artist has drawn the image of Puri Jagannath and the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhdra that take the procession on. The image along with the news is published in Orissa Diary.
It is this time of the year again and ecstasy runs high among anxious devotees as Rath Yatra is tomorrow. But amongst the curious pilgrims, it is the non-hindus, who are frenzied a lot. For, the Jagannath temple is off limits for the non-hindus and Rath Yatra is the only occasion where they can have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and devi Subhadra, as the triad of Hindu deities come out of their abode and head towards their birthplace at Gundicha temple riding on three giant chariots.
With Rath Yatra one day to go world champion sand artist Sudarsan pattnaik on Wednesday created sand sculpture of lord Jagannath and behind him 3 chariot on the eve of Rath Yatra on Puri beach. Pattnaik created 5ft high sand sculpture with using colour sand. It took 5hrs using 10 tones of sand with his students of sand art institute.
Rath Yatra is an occasion where devotees, irrespective of religion, caste, class and creed get an opportunity to see the presiding deities. “In 14th century poet Balram Das, popularly known as Mattha Balaram, had created a chariot on sand while he was not allowed to have the holy glimpse of Lord on the chariot for being non-Brahmin. Disappointed Balaram came to the Puri Banki Muhana sea beach and built three chariots for Lord Jagannath, brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra on sand”. So, through my art, I want to spread the message of universal brotherhood that how Lord Jagannath clinches people from all religion, said Sudarsan.
Former world champion Sudarsan has so far participated in more than 40 international sand sculpture championships across the world and won many awards for the country. Through his art he helped the tsunami victims in India, save the endangered Olive Ridley Turtles, Bird flu and spread awareness of the dangers of HIV-AIDS and polio.
You can also see the sand sculpture and the oil painting of Lord Jagannath made by Tarani Misro of Andhra Pradesh on the occasion of Puri Rath Yatra 2010.