Puri, March 14: Internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Wednesday paid sand art tribute to world-famous physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking at Puri beach in Odisha. While the world mourned Hawking's demise, Pattnaik made a wonderful piece of art depicting Hawking and the universe behind him.

Pattnaik took to Twitter and quoted his famous quote saying, “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge”. “Tribute to #StephenHawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha”, he mentioned in another tweet.

British scientist Hawking who explored the mysteries of the universe from his wheelchair and went on to become an inspiring figure globally died on Wednesday at his home in Cambridge. His family said that Hawking, 76, died peacefully in his home near Cambridge University, where he did much of his ground-breaking work on black holes and relativity

See Pattnaik's sand art tribute:

Sudarshan Pattnaik pays sand art tribute to Hawking (Image: Twitter,@sudarsansand)
Sudarshan Pattnaik pays sand art tribute to Hawking (Image: Twitter,@sudarsansand)
Sudarshan Pattnaik pays sand art tribute to Hawking (Image: Twitter,@sudarsansand)
Sudarshan Pattnaik pays sand art tribute to Hawking (Image: Twitter,@sudarsansand)

The 76-year-old inspirational physicist suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which is usually fatal within a few years. He was diagnosed in 1963, when he was 21, and doctors initially only gave him a few years to live. The disease left Hawking wheelchair-bound and paralysed but he went on to study at Cambridge and became one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Albert Einstein.

Hawking, an intellectual giant who became an international symbol the power of the human mind died peacefully at his home in Cambridge, England. The news of his demise was conveyed by his family members on Wednesday morning.

Hawking's children, Lucy, Robert and Tim said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. "He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world," the statement added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 14, 2018 11:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).