Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 10:

Internationally-acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a captivating replica of Sun Temple in Konark – the only World Heritage Site in Odisha – at the three-day World Travel Mart (WTM) in London which concluded yesterday.

During the 37^th edition of the annual global travel industry meet, the creations were displayed at the Odisha Tourism pavilion.

Besides the Black Pagoda, Pattnaik also sculpted the statue of Lord Buddha under the Bodhi Tree with a message – World Tourism for Peace.

Notably, the state government participated in the fair to attract European tourists to the state.

The event is a major networking and business hotspot for over 50,000 travel industry professionals, public servants, and media professionals.

The stall of Odisha Tourism was inaugurated by Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma in the presence of state Tourism & Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda along with other dignitaries.

Odisha Tourism showcased its products to attract more tourists from Europe and adjacent countries where tour operators were informed of the state's tourism potential.