Chocolate Santa steals spotlight in Puducherry

A towering seven-foot Santa Claus statue made entirely of chocolate has become a major attraction in Puducherry city ahead of the Christmas celebrations, drawing large crowds of tourists and local residents eager to take selfies.
The statue has been created by a well-known private chocolate manufacturing company functioning in the Puducherry city area. The company has been crafting themed chocolate idols every year during Christmas since 2009, earning wide attention for its creative festive displays.
In previous years, the company has produced chocolate statues of prominent personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Subramania Bharatiyar, legendary singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, cricketer M.S. Dhoni, actor Rajinikanth and Wing Commander Abhinandan, among others.
For Christmas and New Year this year, the company has unveiled a 7.2-foot-tall Santa Claus statue made using 658 kilograms of chocolate. The sculpture was created by chef Rajendran Thangarasu, who spent 11 days and a total of 92 hours to complete the intricate work.
The chocolate Santa has quickly become a festive highlight in Puducherry city, with visitors thronging the venue to admire the craftsmanship and take photographs. The company has announced that the statue will remain on public display until January 26.