Puri, July 13 -- Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a sand art at Puri beach on Sunday. He crafted a sand idol of Lord Shiva to mark the first Monday of the auspicious Sawan month.

Sudarsan Pattnaik said, "The entire nation is devotional for the first Shravan Somvaar. We have made Lord Shiv's 6-feet high sculpture... In Puri Jagannath Dham, there is a temple of Lord Loknath, and here also, many devotees have arrived. As an artist, I am praying to God to bless us with strength, peace and devotion."

This year, Sawan began on July 11 and will conclude on August 9. It is the fifth month of the Hindu lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods for Shiva devotees.

Shravan (or Sawan) holds immense significance in H...