Baripada: With the Odisha government clamping a ban on Rath Yatra across the state except Puri to prevent spread of COVID-19 in the state, artist Samarendra Behera has painted the images of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on a banyan tree for the devotees.
The Jagannath temple at Baripada, known as second Shri Khetra after Puri, also organises Rath Yatra every year. But the devotees are deprived of participating in the festival for second year due to the restrictions of the government.
Keeping the sentiment of the devotees in mind, Samarendra has drawn the painting of the Lords on a huge banyan tree at Agada village under Betanati block. It is an endeavour to keep the devotees, who are deprived of participating in Rath Yatra, connected to the Lords, said Samarendra.
Besides, as nature lover, he wants to put across a message on protection of forest and wildlife, he added.
Earlier, he has carved the portrait of eminent personalities including prime minister Narendra Modi on trees to make people think twice before felling those.
