Cardboard Ganesh Idol Becomes Puri Beach’s Must‑See Attraction

When you stroll along Puri’s golden sands during the closing day of Ganesh Chaturthi – Niladri Bije – you’ll likely spot something unexpected: a towering, four‑foot‑high idol of Lord Ganesha that looks as if it’s floating just above the surf.

That’s no accident. The eye‑catching sculpture was imagined and built by local artist Banambar Pattanaik, who chose cardboard as his primary medium. He mixed in a bit of foam, cloth and stone to give the figure structure, yet the whole piece tips the scales at a feather‑light four kilograms.

Set facing the sea, the idol’s trunk and face seem to hover in mid‑air, while the rolling waves form a natural backdrop that, to many onlookers, resembles the deity’s own belly. The effect is oddly magical – a modern, eco‑friendly take on a centuries‑old tradition, and it’s drawing tourists, photographers and curious locals alike.

Pattanaik says he wanted to “offer something new and different to devotees.” He’s no stranger to unconventional materials; previous installations made from recycled items have earned him spots in both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records. This cardboard Ganesha is just the latest chapter in that story.

Visitors can’t help but pause, snap a photo, and linger a moment to admire how the simple material of cardboard can convey such reverence and artistry. For many, it’s become the highlight of the beach’s Niladri Bije celebrations, a reminder that devotion can wear many forms – even a lightweight, cardboard deity standing proudly against the tide.