Sudarshan Pattnaik
The Jagannath temple is off limits for the non-hindus and Rath Yatra is the only occasion where non-Hindu can have a glimpse of three Idols, 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 recreated World’s smallest three sand chariots i.e Nandighosha, Taladhwaja, Devadalana, which he dedicated to Poet Balaram Das at Puri beach.
“Poet Balaram Das is the author of Dandi Ramayan was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath .Once during Ratha Yatra (Car Festival), he tried to climb the chariot of Lord Jagannath to offer his prayer . Since he wasn’t allowed by the priests of the chariot to climb it and also insulted by them . With a great frustration and humiliation he came to the beach (Mahodadhi) and carved the statues of Lord Jagannath , Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the Golden sand . Then there he started praying and worshipping these statues . His devotion was so strong and deep that the original statues vanished from the chariot and appeared at that place where Balaram das was worshipped .”
Before Sudarsan has created many big sand sculptures which was placed in limca book of records and also many sand sculptures of chariots and lord Jagannath but this time he created the smallest sand chariots which he want to dedicated the late poet Balaram Das. This small chariots will placed in Limca book of World record as World’s smallest sand chariot. The hight of each sand chariots are 10 inch high and 6 inch width and used 1 kg sand for each chariot.
“Rath Yatra is an occasion where devotees, irrespective of religion, caste, class and creed get an opportunity to see the presiding deities. Through my art, I want to spread the message of universal brotherhood that how Lord Jagannath clinches people from all religion on a single day and occasion,” said Sudarsan .
So far sudarsan has participated in more than 50 international sand sculpture festival and championship around the world and won many prizes for our country. Recently he has won the Copenhagen International sand art championship at Denmark. Sudarsan is the brand ambassador of NALCO.
