On the eve of Christmas, well-known sand artist from Orissa, Sudarsan Patnaik created the world’s tallest sand replica of Jesus Christ on the Puri beach on Monday.
Mr Patnaik’s effort is expected to be included in the Limca Book of Records.
According to Mr Patnaik, it took 25 hours to create the 22 feet structure with the help of 600 tonnes of sand.
Fifteen students from his Puri-based Golden Sand Arts Institute assisted him to create the replica.
Apart from the replica of the Jesus Christ, he also created two other smaller replicas of Santa Clause and Mother Mary holding the baby Jesus.
Proposal
Mr Patnaik had sent a proposal to the Limca Book of Records before creating the Jesus Christ’s sand replica.
 “I created the structure after the record book asked me to go ahead with the creation,” the former champion at the World Sand Sculpture competition told Deccan Herald.
The structure will remain in display at the Puri sea beach till January 1, 2008 for the tourists from both inside and outside the country.
Tourists have already begun to pour in the temple town, a major destination in eastern India, to spend Christmas and New Year holidays.
Mr Patnaik had recently displayed his craft in Goa during the international film festival and his creation on AIDS awareness won accolades by delegates present there.