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101 Butter Pots, One Divine Krishna: Sudarsan Pattnaik’s Sand Art Steals the Spotlight
Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki: Krishna Bhakti Sweeps Across Odisha
Bhubaneswar/Puri : The sacred festival of *Shri Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated with immense devotion and spiritual fervour across Odisha, as temples, homes and streets resonate with the divine name of Lord Krishna and devotees come together to mark the auspicious birth of the beloved Bal Gopal. From the early hours of the morning, temples have turned into vibrant centres of devotion, with devotees standing in long queues for darshan, while the chanting of “Hare Krishna”, devotional songs and kirtans creates an atmosphere filled with faith and divine joy.
Temples have been beautifully decorated with colourful lights, flowers and traditional ornaments, adding to the grandeur of the celebration, while many devotees observe fasting throughout the day and eagerly await the midnight birth rituals. Homes too have taken on a festive appearance, with families placing little Krishna in beautifully decorated cradles and offering prayers with love and devotion.
The joyous chants of “Hathi Ghoda Palki, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki” echo through the surroundings, bringing alive the timeless story of Krishna’s divine arrival on Earth. In Puri Srimandir , special rituals associated with Shri Krishna Janma Niti are being observed with traditional ceremonies. Following the evening rituals and offerings, special worship is being conducted, while public darshan remains restricted during the period of the sacred Janma rituals, allowing the temple servitors to complete the prescribed ceremonies. Adding another emotional and artistic dimension to this year’s Janmashtami celebrations, internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik has created a magnificent sand sculpture of Bal Gopal on Puri beach. The approximately eight-foot-tall artwork beautifully portrays little Krishna with his beloved flute, a large pot of butter and a cow resting beside him, evoking memories of the enchanting childhood stories of Krishna in Gokul.
The sculpture’s most striking feature is the presence of 101 small butter pots surrounding Bal Gopal, symbolising the playful innocence, love and divine charm associated with Krishna’s childhood leelas. The breathtaking creation has become a major attraction for devotees, tourists and visitors at Puri beach, offering them a moment to pause, admire and connect with the spiritual essence of Janmashtami. As Odisha celebrates the divine birth of Lord Krishna with prayers, rituals, music, art and unwavering faith, the festival once again reminds devotees of the eternal message of love, righteousness, compassion and hope the timeless values embodied by Shri Krishna.
From Temple Bells to Puri’s Golden Sands, Odisha Celebrates the Divine Birth of Bal Gopal
