Puri: Internationally renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Patnaik has once again showcased his unparalleled creativity by sculpting a gigantic Santa Claus at the Blue Flag Beach in Puri, Odisha. Created with sand and adorned with 550 kilograms of chocolate, the unique masterpiece has captured the festive spirit of Christmas and aims to secure a place in the record books.
Spread across an impressive 16,000 square feet, the Santa Claus sand art measures 160 feet in length and 100 feet in width. Sudarsan, along with his dedicated students, completed the extraordinary installation in just six hours. Speaking about the project, Patnaik expressed his confidence in the art’s potential to set a world record, stating that no similar sand art combining sand and chocolate has ever been made before. An official claim for the record has already been submitted to the concerned authorities.
Sharing his excitement on social media, Sudarsan posted, “Merry Christmas—the world’s biggest chocolate sand installation of Santa Claus at Blue Flag Beach in Puri, Odisha. 550 kg of chocolate installation on sand art (160 feet long, 100 feet wide), over 16,000 square feet, and it took 6 hours to complete the art with my students of our sand art institution.”
Visitors at Puri Beach were enthralled by the grand spectacle, which perfectly blended innovation with the Christmas spirit.
This is not the first time Sudarsan has captivated audiences with his creativity. Recently, he ushered in 2024 with a towering 25-foot sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, intricately designed and adorned with thousands of vibrant flowers. This remarkable creation drew a large crowd of devotees and tourists, who marveled at the beauty of the art and sought blessings for the New Year.
Reflecting on the New Year sand art, Sudarsan said, “Devotees can come to the beach and have ‘darshan’ of Mahaprabhu through the sand art. They can also visit the Lord Jagannath temple and seek blessings on the first day of the New Year. I prayed to Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath that the New Year 2024 should bring happiness and prosperity to everyone.”
46 years old, Sudarsan Patnaik has firmly established himself as a global icon in sand art. His work often highlights significant themes, spreading messages of peace, harmony, and social relevance. In February 2017, he entered the Guinness Book of World Records for creating the world’s largest sandcastle. Although the record was later surpassed, Patnaik continues to push boundaries with his art.
His creations consistently draw admiration from visitors and art enthusiasts alike, transforming Puri Beach into a hub of cultural celebration. As thousands flock to witness the Chocolate Santa Claus sand installation, Sudarsan’s dedication to his craft and his ability to inspire wonder remain as steadfast as ever.
This festive season, Sudarsan Patnaik’s art is not only a visual treat but also an example of the power of creativity in spreading joy and celebrating tradition.
