Ganeshotsav 2026 has been marked by a distinctive artistic tribute in Thane, where an elaborate sand sculpture of Panchmukhi Lord Ganesha has been created by renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik. The installation was prepared for the festival, which began on Monday, September 14, and has attracted the attention of devotees and visitors.
The five-faced form of Lord Ganesha has been depicted through Pattnaik’s signature sand-art technique. The Panchmukhi representation has added a spiritual dimension to the installation, as the five faces are traditionally associated with different aspects of divine consciousness and religious symbolism in Hindu traditions.
The artwork was shared by Pattnaik on X, where it was stated that the sculpture had been created on the “auspicious occasion of Ganeshotsav”. Panchmukhi Ganesha was described by him as the “magnificent five-faced form of Lord Ganesha”. Wishes were also extended for everyone to be blessed with “wisdom, prosperity, happiness, and success”.
Pattnaik has been widely recognised for creating large-scale sand sculptures based on Indian culture, religious festivals, environmental concerns, social causes and important occasions. His creations have been showcased at several locations in India and abroad, and sand has regularly been used by him as a medium to communicate messages as well as highlight cultural and religious themes.
The latest artwork has been created as Ganeshotsav celebrations are being held across Maharashtra. Ganesh Chaturthi is regarded as one of the state’s most significant religious and cultural festivals and is traditionally observed on the Chaturthi Tithi of Shukla Paksha during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.
During the festivities, idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes, housing societies and public pandals. Prayers and aartis are performed, offerings are made and cultural programmes are organised as devotees come together to celebrate the occasion.
A distinctive element has been brought to this year’s festivities through Pattnaik’s choice of the Panchmukhi form. Traditional religious symbolism has been combined with contemporary sand art, allowing a less commonly depicted representation of Lord Ganesha to be highlighted.
Through the Thane installation, Pattnaik’s established practice of connecting art with culturally significant occasions has once again been reflected. The Panchmukhi Ganesha sculpture has emerged as both a devotional tribute and an artistic attraction during Ganeshotsav 2026.
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