As the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya arrives, celebrated sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has once again embodied the spirit of devotion through his art.

Pattnaik crafted a vibrant sand sculpture of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on Puri Beach, marking the sacred initiation of chariot construction for the renowned Rath Yatra.

The striking sand art features the three deities dressed in bright pink attire and adorned with floral decorations, standing majestically against the backdrop of the rolling waves of the Bay of Bengal. In front of the divine trio, three wooden logs—symbolizing the chariot wheels or axles—are positioned, representing the start of the grand chariot-making process that traditionally begins on Akshaya Tritiya.

At the base, the artist has inscribed the powerful chant “Jai Jagannatha” in bold red letters, along with sacred Odia inscriptions, adding a profound spiritual element to the creation.

Sharing the image on his X handle, Sudarsan Pattnaik wrote: “Jai Jagannatha. On the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the construction of chariots for the world-famous annual Rath Yatra of Mahaprabhu Jagannath begins today. My sand art at Puri Beach, Odisha.” In Odisha, this day holds special significance as it marks the beginning of the iconic Rath Yatra preparations in Puri, alongside agricultural rituals and the sacred Chandan Yatra.