PURI: Famous sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has made artwork on the Puri beach to mark the auspicious occasion of the start of the Rath Yatra festival in Odisha's Puri. Odisha. 

As per reports, Pattnaik used 250 coconuts to build a 6-foot-tall sand sculpture depicting Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and three chariots. In his sculpture, Pattnaik tells the tale of Mahaprabhu Jagannath devotee Dasia Bauri. Dasia Bauri, a non-Brahmin who was barred from entering the Shree Mandir, presented the

Mahaprabhu a coconut, which the Mahaprabhu accepted.
About 5 tonnes of sand were used in the artwork by Pattnaik. He collaborated with his sand art school's students to finish this artwork. Every year, Sudarsan makes a variety of sand sculptures for Ratha Yatra, including Balaram Das's Bali Ratha and 3D sand art.

Prior to the annual Rath Yatra, miniature artist L Eswar Rao from Bhubaneswar created eco-friendly chariots for the sacred trinity Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Balabhadra out of papers and beautiful stars. The gods seated within the holy chariots were constructed in 15 days out of neem wood. The height of the chariots is 9 inches from bottom to top.

The Hindu holiday of Rath Yatra is observed on the second day of the two-week-long Ashadha month, which falls on June 20 this year.

One of the well-known Hindu festivals that is observed all around the world is the Rath Yatra. Lord Jagannath is connected to the Yatra at Shri Kshetra Puri Dham in Odisha.

Hindu writings including the Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita all reflect its past. 
Rath Yatra is a significant festival celebrated in the state of Odisha, India. It is an annual chariot procession dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, who are revered as the presiding deities of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri. The festival marks the journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, from the temple to the Gundicha Temple, which is their birthplace. The deities are placed on lavishly decorated chariots and pulled by devotees through the streets of Puri amidst a sea of enthusiastic crowds.

The procession is accompanied by rhythmic chants, devotional songs, and the beating of traditional drums. People line the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the deities and seek their blessings. The air is filled with a sense of devotion, joy, and religious fervor during this auspicious occasion.

Rath Yatra holds immense cultural and religious significance for the people of Odisha. It is believed that pulling the chariots grants spiritual blessings and brings good fortune. Devotees consider it a privilege to have a chance to touch the ropes of the chariots and contribute to the divine journey.

The festival also promotes unity and inclusiveness as people from various backgrounds and communities come together to participate in the festivities. It is a time of joyous celebration, devotion, and spiritual rejuvenation.

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