A sand artist created a mural praying for peace amid protests in Nepal, sparked by the government's ban on social media platforms.

Indian artist Sudarsan Pattnaik crafted an art sculpture titled ‘Praying for Peace', featuring the Nepalese flag, on Puri Beach in Odisha.

The artwork addresses the ongoing violence and calls for peace during the conflict.

Footage shows the mural featuring what appears to be a building engulfed in flames, with smoke billowing in the background.

Last week, several government buildings were set ablaze, including the residence of President Ram Chandra Poudel, as tensions escalated.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned in response to growing anti-government protests, stating his decision was aimed at facilitating a constitutional resolution to the crisis.

The ban, imposed earlier this month on at least 26 platforms - including Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X - sparked outrage among users, many of them young people, or Gen Zs.

Authorities said the ban was introduced after major platforms failed to comply with a new registration requirement. The move formed part of a wider crackdown on online abuses such as misinformation, hate speech, and fraud.

Nepal's Communications Minister, Prithvi Subba Gurung, announced that the ban would be rolled back just hours after protesters marched on the parliament complex in Kathmandu.

He said: 'We have withdrawn the shutdown of social media. They are working now.'

Since the unrest began, the health ministry has reported at least 72 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries.