Puri, Sept. 17 -- Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik marked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday on Thursday with a 25-foot sand art installation illuminated by 2,500 diyas at Puri Beach in Odisha.

The installation carries the message "Diyas of Blessings", with Pattnaik saying the artwork was created to reflect prayers and blessings for the Prime Minister.

"On the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, we have created a 25-foot sand art installation. It is adorned with 2500 diyas. The message is, 'Diyas of Blessings'. People in every corner of India are lighting diyas before God and praying for PM Modi... We too are praying to Lord Jagannath that his blessings always remain like this," Pattnaik said, in a conve...