Puri: Just two days before cyclone Amphan hit Odisha coast, Patitapabana Bana (the flag) atop Srimandir here had snapped off on May 18. Once again, the Holy flag attached to the Nilachakra atop the temple torn into pieces on Monday leaving people apprehensive of something bad happening in future.
It is suspected that the ‘Bana’ torn into pieces due to lightning raising question on the earthing of the centuries-old temple.
On May 18, the Holy flag was blown away by strong wind ahead of cyclone Amphan. This had triggered panic among people as some termed the incident as ‘inauspicious’ stating that they had encountered similar incident during cyclone FANI in 2019. Many others also termed it as a ‘bad sign’ citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, servitors on the other hand had ruled out such ‘negative’ remarks stating that Lord Jagannath saved the people of the state by changing the cyclone’s direction.
Earlier on March 19, the Bana had caught fire from a ‘Diya’ that was placed near the Nilachakra.
Meanwhile, heavy rain lashed the pilgrim town today leading to halting of chariot construction work due to water-logging on Bada Danda.
