Set against the pristine Chandrabagha beach as the backdrop, the International Sand Art Festival's theme this year revolved around the ongoing Hockey Men's World Cup being held at Bhubaneswar.
Festivities at the Konark Sun Temple happened throughout the week with simultaneous hosting of Konark Dance Festival and the International Sand Art Festival. It started on November 1 and continued till December 5.
Set against the pristine Chandrabagha beach as the backdrop, the International Sand Art Festival's theme this year revolved around the ongoing Hockey Men's World Cup being held at Bhubaneswar.
The 30th Konark Festival opened with the performance by renowned Odissi Guru Durga Charan Ranbir and group.The second dance performance in Bharatanatyam was led by Rama Vaidyanathan, an exponent in the form. Prior to the performances, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda inaugurated the festival with the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony.
Director & Special Secretary Tourism, Archana Patnaik highlighted the department's efforts to promote tourism throughout the year through a diverse calendar of events besides steadily upgrading tourist infrastructure."It is a beautiful coincidence of cultural and competitive events that makes the Bhubaneswar-Puri-Konark triangle among the most happening places to be at this moment," she said.
#Odisha has been a forerunner of intricate sand art and its serene beaches gives the art its perfect settings .The International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach, ensembles the finest artistry from across the globe at the @UNESCO heritage site #Konark #FestiveOdisha https://t.co/KIaL66hPIG
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) December 1, 2018
All images courtesy Odisha Tourism
1. Sand Art festival was held in Konark
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2. Huge participation recorded from artists across the world
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3. This year Sand Art festival was coincided with Hockey World Cup
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4. The craze is only going bigger
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5. Odisha has become the go to place for sand art
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