Bhubaneswar, Aug 23 (IANS) A 40-foot foot sand sculptor of Hindu god Ganesh holding a small tree with a message to check global warming is the main attraction on Puri’s beach in Orissa Sunday. The artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik, claims that it is the world’s longest sand sculpture of the elephant-headed god.
Pattnaik said it took him 10 hours to complete the colourful image. “We used 17 tonnes of sand,” Pattnaik told IANS.

The image was created by Pattnaik Saturday evening with the help of his students and was put on display Sunday on the beach, 56 km from here.

The tree in Ganesh’s hand bears the message “Plant Trees And Reduce Global Warming”.

“Climate change is a major problem the world is facing and we have made an attempt to create awareness through this sculpture, as thousands of tourists visit the beach everyday,” he said.

“I will send the details of the sculpture to the authorities of the Limca Book of Records for its inclusion in their upcoming edition,” said Pattnaik, who won the people’s choice award last month for his 15-feet high image of Buddha at a world championship held in Berlin.

Pattnaik has participated in more than 39 international sand sculpture festivals and competitions where he has won several prizes. His name figured in the Limca Book of Records’ 2006, 2007 and 2008 editions.