Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik Creates 10-Foot-Tall Goddess Durga Sculpture With Fruits And Vegetables
Sudarsan Pattnaik, a Padma Shri‑honoured sand artist, transformed the sands of Puri Beach into a towering tribute to the goddess Durga. The ten‑foot‑tall figure was built from eight tonnes of sand and a vivid palette of 32 fruits and vegetables, including oranges, apples, grapes, cucumbers and bitter gourd, arranged with the precision of a culinary collage.
Completed in roughly five hours, the sculpture shimmered with colour and texture, its edible adornments echoing the festive abundance of Durga Puja. The artist’s swift execution highlighted both skill and the fleeting nature of the medium, as the tide promised to reclaim the work.
Beyond its visual feast, the installation conveyed a blessing for strength, happiness, peace and prosperity, marrying artistic expression with the spiritual wishes of the holiday.