Puri (Orissa), Nov 26 : Renowned sand artist Sudershan Patnaik paid homage to the victims of last year''s Mumbai 26/11 terrorist'' attacks by creating a replica of Hotel Taj Mahal, one of the prime locations of last year''s attacks on the sand beach here on Wednesday (November 25).

Patnaik, who was joined by his sand institute students, created a seven feet high sculpture of Hotel Taj Mahal, by using six tones of sand.

The sculpture was engraved with a message condemning terrorism.

"By creating this sculpture at Puri beach to pay tribute on the occasion, we want to convey that terrorism should be condemned by all countries of the world and we, Indians, should stand united," said Patnaik.

Patnaik has participated in many international sand sculpture competitions across the world and has won many laurels for the country.

Meanwhile, tourists and locals gathered at the beach to watch Patnaik create the sculpture.

"I am a Thai people. Everything we heard, everything is sad, we feel sad too because we are in the whole world, in the same world. Any place has something not good; the other place has their affect too," said Ruth, a tourist from Thailand.

Ten gunmen had landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008 and fired indiscriminately inside a railway station, a Jewish settlement, a cafe and two luxury hotels.

Several people were held hostage for the next three days and at least 166 people died before commandoes smoked out the last of the attackers on November 28.

One gunman, Mohammad Ajmal Kasab, who claims to be Pakistani national, was taken alive and is presently, facing trial in a special court in Mumbai. (ANI)