Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 4: A spectacular new landmark dedicated to Lord Shiva was unveiled on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, with the face of the imposing Shiva sculpture opposite Hornbill Nest being revealed to the public after nearly 17 months of painstaking artistic work.
The project, which began in April 2025 and reached completion in September 2026, is the result of an ambitious artistic vision led by sculptor Raghesh Sasi and his team. What started with an idea, drawings and sketches gradually took shape through months of intensive handwork, experimentation, corrections and relentless perseverance.
At the heart of the project was Raghesh Sasi, the principal sculptor who envisioned the entire work and personally led its execution. The sculpture was handmade and carefully curated with the intention of creating a work that would stand the test of time.
Raghesh was joined in the sculpting journey by Prajeesh PP, Nidhin E, Nidhish Gopinath, Nandakumar, Aneesh Kunjumon, Srirag and Dibin. Together, the team worked through the demanding process of translating the original concept into a large-scale sculpture.
The journey was far from straightforward.
There were days when the shades did not match the intended finish and mornings when a difference of just a few centimetres could result in an entire foot of painstaking work being broken down and recreated. The process demanded repeated corrections, long working hours and the willingness to start over whenever the outcome did not match the artist’s vision.
But the team persisted.
From the initial sketches in April 2025 to the grand reveal in September 2026, the sculpture evolved through months of manual effort. The final result now stands as a striking visual against the vast ocean backdrop of the Andaman Islands.
Avinash Kumar Singh from Sri Sakthi Corporation was also present during the unveiling, joining the sculpting team and others associated with the project in marking the completion of the ambitious work.
The project is associated with Raghesh’s company, Papillonblue, which reflects his broader artistic work. Raghesh’s work can also be followed on Instagram through @ragheshsasi89 and @papil_lonblue.
For the team, the significance of the sculpture extends beyond its physical form. The vision is to create a place that can become both a major tourist attraction and a space for spiritual reflection—where visitors can slow down, reconnect with their faith and experience a sense of divinity against the pristine natural surroundings of the islands.
The location is also being envisioned as a designated holy space for the performance of last rites. The availability of bathrooms and shops in the vicinity is expected to help meet the practical requirements of families and visitors using the site.
Open spaces and viewpoints around the location can also provide room for puja rituals and moments of quiet reflection, while the expansive ocean setting adds a distinctive dimension to the experience.
At the same time, the growing importance of the site brings an equally important responsibility: protecting its ecological character.
As the location draws more visitors, citizens and tourists are being urged to maintain cleanliness and ensure that religious activities and tourism do not come at the cost of the surrounding environment. The message is clear, faith and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.
The unveiling of the Shiva sculpture therefore represents more than the completion of a 17-month artistic project. It is the culmination of a journey that began with a vision on paper and survived countless challenges through persistence and craftsmanship.
Today, that vision stands completed, a striking sculpture overlooking the ocean, carrying with it the labour of an entire team and the hope that it will become a lasting landmark where art, faith, tourism and nature come together.
For the Andaman Islands, it could well become another distinctive place for visitors to behold, and for Islanders to pause, reflect and reconnect with their spiritual roots.
