Puri : On the occasion of Janmashtami, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a sand sculpture with the message 'Kill the Evil' at Puri beach in Odisha.
Meanwhile, a large number of people gathered at Manali's Mall Road to attend the Krishna Janmashtami celebration event organised by ISKCON.Pattnaik is also a Padma Shri awardee, India's 4th highest civilian award. He runs a sand art school at Puri Beach in Odisha.
So far, Padma-awardee artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has participated in more than 65 international sand art competitions and festivals around the world and has won many accolades for the country. He always tries to spread awareness through his sand art.
The Odisha sand artist has created awareness through his art on many social issues such as HIV, AIDS, global warming, stopping terrorism, beating plastic pollution, COVID-19, and saving the environment, among others.
Preparations for Krishna Janmashtami are in full swing in various parts of the country. Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 26 this year across the country. Devotees traditionally fast and decorate temples and homes with flowers, diyas, and lights.
The occasion is particularly grand in Mathura and Vrindavan, where it is believed that Krishna spent his youth and childhood.