Valentine's Day: Manas Sahoo professes love for India on Puri beach

Puri: On a day when love is in the air, acclaimed sand artist Manas Sahoo has come up with a sand sculpture on the theme 'I Love India' at the Puri Sea beach to promote love, affection and peace in the world.

The artist, through his sand art, made it evident that a person's valentine cannot necessarily be limited to the lover but one can show his love for the country as well.

As much as 25 tonnes of sand have been used to build the 17 feet wide sculpture. Sahoo reportedly took 30 hours to complete the art that has been attracting locals and tourists in large numbers.

Meanwhile, marking the Maha Shivaratri celebrations in Odisha, internationally famous sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik has also created sand sculptures of 108 Shiva Lingas at Puri beach on Tuesday. The sculptures were built by the artist and students of Sudarsan Sand Art Institute.

The creation has become  a major attraction for the visitors on the beach and hundreds are turning up to witness the miniature Shiva Lingas.