Idols of Shiva, Ganapati, Jesus, Shivaji Maharaj and more were among the artworks displayed at the Vijayshree sand art museum near Vengurla beach Sindhudurg. A one of a kind museum, dabbling in sand art, having been earlier established only in Orissa and Mysore. Now for Sindhdurg, this means an added tourist attraction.
The artist behind the museum, Raviraj Chipkar says, “The tourism near Konkan belt is growing, so I wanted to add to the experience by offering something different. People who live here and also the ones who visit are very devotional. So I decided to make idols of those worshipped by different groups. I have also made an idol of Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, a writer loved in this part of Maharashtra”.
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Most sand artists practise this as a hobby, participating in beach festivals. (Express Photo)
The museum was installed on February 25 and will be in place till May. In November, Chipkar will make new idols and start the museum again. “It won’t survive the rainy season. So I will have to close briefly”, said Chipkar.
“The people who come to visit the sand museum are usually from Pune, Mumbai or foreigners. They are stunned at how these idols stand consolidated and erect when made of sand which is known to collapse. “It takes a lot of patience, I study what kind of sand can be used for my artwork for it to sustain over a period of time. Many times, my work collapses while I am still making it, so it isn’t entirely easy”, said Chipkar.
The museum was installed on February 25 and will be in place till May. (Express Photo)
He is one of few artists who partake in sand art professionally, living only around a kilometre from the beach helps him with that. “Apart from the museum, I make idols to pay tribute to people who have contributed to our country. When I heard of Lata Mangeshkar’s passing, I ran to the beach and within three hours made an idol to pay her tribute”.
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Most sand artists practise this as a hobby, participating in beach festivals. That is how Chipkar started his journey as a sand artist too, in 2011, when he was 23-years-old. He participated in a festival in Konkan, where artist Sudarshan Patnaik, motivated him to participate in the Konark beach festival. Since then he has been invited to many different places to display his work.
A one of a kind museum, dabbling in sand art, having been earlier established only in Orissa and Mysore. (Express Photo) 
Most sand artists practise this as a hobby, participating in beach festivals. (Express Photo)
The museum was installed on February 25 and will be in place till May. (Express Photo)
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