Bhubaneswar: An ongoing art exhibition at the Subhadra Art Gallery is attracting a lot of rath yatra visitors here.

The exhibition on Jagannath culture throws light on numerous mythological tales of Lord Jagannath and the spiritual aspects of devotion. Known for bold colours in all its elements, the Jagannath culture has been depicted in a myriad of shades in the paintings using various mediums such as acrylic, water colour, charcoal and mixed media.

About 50 paintings by various artists, including Pranam Singh and Sunil Viswakarma from Varanasi and a number of artists from the state, including Rabi Narayana Rath, Baladev Moharatha and Manas Ranjan Jena, have been put up at the exhibition.

Pranam Singh painted a surreal form of Lord's eyes and Sunil Kushuwah painted the devotion of Meera Bai for Lord Jagannath.

Gallery director Ashok Nayak said: "By its wonderful power of assimilation, Jagannath culture has affected the synthesis of all cultural communities, states and universe. It is evident how the devotion and love for Lord Jagannath can be used to motivate artists."

Artist Binodini Behera has depicted mythological episodes with acrylic on canvas.

In another painting, artist Tapan Dash juxtaposed the image of Mahatma Gandhi with Lord Jagannath and temple servitors.

"Lord Jagannath as we know now is the God of masses and not of individuals thus Jagannath culture has been observed as a mass culture. People of diverse faith with their distinct social backgrounds have worshipped Lord Jagannath as their own," said an artist.

The tales of devotees such as manika, salabega and many others have portrayed in the art works. Nabakalebar, the event of the deity's physical body's extinction and resembling the human life, holds significance among followers of the Lord has also been depicted.

"It feels divine to stand amid so many paintings of the Lord," said Sarah Smruti, an art enthusiast. The exhibition on Lord Jagannath will be in view till July 28.