Sudarsan's Taj wins prize in Berlin

"The replica I created is 15 feet high and it took me 56 hours in seven days to complete it," says Patnaik.

A sand replica of Taj Mahal created by sand sculptor Sudarsan Patnaik at Berlin International Sand Sculpture Championship held June 14-21 has won a prize, the sculptor said on Wednesday.

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"I am currently in Germany to participate in another sand sculpture festival in Dortmund and I will travel to Berlin to receive the award on July 29," Patnaik told IANS over phone.

The Taj Mahal in Agra was recently elected to the new Seven Wonders of the World list.

"The replica I created is 15 feet high and it took me 56 hours in seven days to complete it," Patnaik said. "It will be on display up to July 29."

Patnaik, 30, was the only artist from India at the Berlin event. At least 15 artists from about 10 countries including Holland, Italy, Russia, Denmark, Bulgaria and Germany competed in the championship.

Pattnaik, a resident of Puri, 56 km from the state capital, has won various awards in all Berlin championships in which he has taken part.

Patnaik, who has participated in more than 32 international sand sculpture competitions, runs an art school, called Golden Sand Art Institute, in Puri.