INTERNATIONAL SAND ART FESTIVAL

The International Sand Artist Festival is organized by Orissa Tourism Department from 1st to 5th December every year at Chandrabhaga Beach of Puri. Here the immense beach is a canvas and an artist's deft is the palette. The sand art festival celebrates sand sculptures produced by skillful sand artists from around the World. The festival celebrates the spectacular displays of sand artists from India and from other many countries. Many Indian and foreign sand artists participate in this festival. Best sand artists from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA and sand artists from different states of India usually grace the golden beach of Chandrabhaga.

For more detailed information about International Sand Artist Festival, please visit Odisha Government official website and India Government utsav website.

The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2015 on the Chandrabhaga beach, a short distance from Sun Temple of Konark. The Konark Dance Festival is organized at Konark, during the same days, brings all elements of Odisha's cultural heritage live at one place. Konark is a world famous tourist destination popularly known for the Sun Temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sand art festival is a part of the Konark Dance Festival. Due to the proximity from Konark Sun Temple, both these events have tourists crowding from all over the world.

Sand artists shape beautiful and attractive sculpture on the beach, with the help of sand and by the magic of their fingers. Famous Odisha sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik who has been awarded the Padma Shree for his marvelous art is the brand ambassador of the event. Every year, the theme for the Artists hover around the burgeoning issues of the Earth. The artists are required to change their creations every day according to the theme to be provided by the organisers. The cut-throat competition between participants is definitely a sight to watch. The creator of best sand art will win a prize.