Sudarshan Patnaik has created sand sculptures of Lord Jagannath chariots

Sudarshan Patnaik has created sand sculptures of Lord Jagannath chariots
Sudarshan Patnaik has created sand sculptures of Lord Jagannath chariots
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Puri: Aclaimed sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik has created sand sculptures of the chariots that are used for carrying Lord Jagannath during the annual Rath Yatra (car festival) on the Golden Beach here.
According to Sudarshan Patnaik, people of all religion pray Lord Jagannath and his creation is a tribute to the noted Oriya poet Balaram Das.
'When Lord Jagannath comes out once every year, it is not only for the sake of festival. People of every religion can come and pray to him. In remembrance of this tradition, we have recreated the chariots of the Lord here in sand,' he said.
Legend has it that the 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. Remembering the great poet, Sudarshan Patnaik has recreated three sand chariots at the same place here.
Patnaik said: 'Some people believe in caste system. I intended to create this sculpture to memorise people about the poet and author Balaram Das, and convey a message that people of all castes and religions are equal before the Lord Jagannath. It's my tribute to that grandfather of the sand art.'It took Patnaik and his team around 12 hours and 20 tonnes of sand to complete the sculptures of the three chariots. Many tourists believe such an artistic attempt helps in creating awareness.