Puri: A powerful thunderstorm with strong gusts and heavy rainfall lashed the coastal town of Puri on Thursday evening, damaging the sacred Patitapabana Bana (holy flag) atop Shree Jagannath Temple.
The flag, mounted on the temple’s Nilachakra (blue wheel) at a height of about 214 feet, was torn due to the intense winds during the sudden Kalabaisakhi (Nor’wester) storm. Despite the damage to the flag, there was no disruption to the temple’s daily rituals. All scheduled rituals proceeded smoothly, temple sources confirmed.
According to temple servitors, Chunara Sevayats hoist Patitapabana Bana every afternoon before Sandhya Dhupa ritual. This daily practice carries profound religious significance for devotees of Lord Jagannath.
Also Read: Kalabaisakhi Fury In Odisha: Uprooted Trees, Fallen Hoardings & Power Cuts Hit Multiple Districts
Following the storm, devotees and onlookers noticed an unusual sight, a kite was found perched on the temple’s Akshaya Danda near the Nilachakra. The bird remained there for some time before flying away. Such occurrences are occasionally reported during stormy weather in Puri, when birds seek shelter or are drawn to the towering structure. In the past, similar sightings involving eagles or kites near the sacred flag have sparked discussions among devotees, sometimes interpreted through spiritual lenses, though temple authorities treat them as natural phenomena.
Not only the Pilgrim Town, several areas in Puri district were severely affected by the Nor’wester storm. In Astranga and Kakatpur, heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and lightning uprooted numerous large trees, throwing normal life out of gear. In Krushnaprasad block of Puri, a massive banyan tree collapsed onto a house late at night while ten family members were inside. Miraculously, all escaped unhurt. However, several electricity poles were damaged in the incident, leading to power outages in the area.
