Sand Santa Claus in Limca Book of Records

Odisha's eminent sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik claimed that the sand Santa Claus he created this Christmas has found a place in Limca Book of World Records.On Christmas eve he had had created a 45ft high sand Santa Claus at Puri beach, which, Pattnaik claimed was recognised as the "largest sand Santa Claus as of today" by the Limca Book of World Records.Limca Book's senior editor Arthy Muthanna Singh through an e-mail informed Pattnaik."We are all very proud of you, as one of Limca Book of Records People of the Year 2009 who keeps setting higher standards and keeps breaking records year after year. Keep it up!" Pattnaik quoted Singh's e-mail.More than 1000 tonne of sand with some coloured sand was used in making the sand sculpture, he said. Pattnaik, who was assisted by 20 of his students at the Sudarsan Sand Art Institute of Puri, took 22 hours in two days to build the mammoth structure which is on display at the beach from December 24 till January 1. He had also created figures of Lord Jesus and Mother Mary near it. Sudarsan had already created eight world records registered with the Limca Book of World Records.