Pattnaik to popularize Taj Mahal for 7 Wonders of the World

New Delhi, Dec 16: Sand Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik today said he would be creating a replica of Mughal monument Taj Mahal in different cities to popularize it to be voted as one of the new 'Seven Wonders of the World' on July 7, 2007.

Talking to UNI here, Pattnaik said he was seeking the assistance of the central Government and Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department to make a replica of the Taj at different cities in Europe and the United States in coming seven months so that the monument was voted as a one of the wonders in the World.

Taj is one of the 21 World Heritage sites shortlisted for the seven wonders to be voted on the basis of people's choice on July 7 at Lisbon in Portugal.

Pattnaik, who has vowed to create 100 Taj replicas in different cities in the world in 22 years, has already created five at Houston, Spain, Doha, Puri and a black one at Agra.

The Taj replicas that he created in different cities helped India getting more votes for the Taj Mahal to race ahead of other contenders, he claimed.

The 12-foot high Golden Taj Mahal replica at 15th Asian Games venue in Doha this month attracted thousands of visitors, Pattnaik said.

UNI