Sand Artist Sudarshan Patnaik Creates Stunning Sand Sculpture for Snana Purnima

Puri, June 29: On the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima, internationally renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Patnaik crafted a magnificent sand sculpture on Puri beach in Odisha. The artwork conveys messages of ‘Jai Jagannath’ and ‘Snana Purnima’, celebrating the divine appearance day of Lord Jagannath and the sacred bathing festival.

Snana Purnima is one of the most sacred festivals in the Jagannath tradition, celebrated on the full moon day of Jyeshtha month. It is also recognized as the divine appearance day (birthday) of Lord Jagannath. On this significant day, Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Shri Sudarshan, is ceremoniously bathed with holy water from 108 pots in the sacred bathing pavilion.

The 8-foot tall and 18-foot wide sand sculpture created by Sudarshan Patnaik beautifully depicts the ritual of Snana Purnima, during which Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and the Sudarshan Chakra are bathed with holy water, symbolizing the commencement of the annual Rath Yatra festival. Through this artistic tribute, Sudarshan Patnaik conveyed a message of peace, devotion, and respect for Odisha’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. The sculpture was created with the assistance of students from the Sudarshan Sand Art Institute.

On this occasion, Sudarshan Patnaik remarked, “Snana Purnima holds immense spiritual significance. Through this sand sculpture, I pray to Lord Jagannath and seek blessings for peace, prosperity, and well-being for all.”

Tourist Pritam Patnaik, who traveled from Mumbai, shared, “I came to Puri to witness Snana Purnima. While strolling on the beach, we unexpectedly saw Sudarshan Patnaik’s sand sculpture. It was truly beautiful and impressive. We feel fortunate to have had the chance to see his amazing sand art today. Such experiences are for the lucky ones. This is my first visit to Puri for Snana Purnima, and I never imagined I would come here and witness such magnificent sights. I hope tomorrow’s darshan will also be very pleasant. I urge everyone to visit Puri at least once in their lifetime and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.”