Jai Sri Jagannatha – The Jagannath Temple in Puri is world-famous for its grandeur and devotion, but it also holds many mysteries and traditions that will astonish you. One of these is the temple’s flag, which flutters against the wind. Normally, the flag flies with the wind, but this doesn’t happen here. This is what makes this temple mysterious and amazing.
To this day, no one has been able to figure out why the temple’s flag flutters against the wind. Locals consider it a sign of Lord Jagannath’s divine power. It is said that the flag fluttering above the temple eliminates negative energies and spreads positivity throughout the environment.
This flag is changed every day, but this is no ordinary act; it is considered a symbol of devotion and faith in the Lord. Every evening, around sunset, the old flag is taken down and a new triangular flag is hoisted.
This is done around 5 pm in winter and around 6 pm in summer. It is also said that if the flag is not changed on any given day, the temple may be closed for 18 years. Therefore, whether it rains or storms, this tradition does not stop for even a single day.
The task of changing the flag is performed by a special family called the Chunara Sevak or Chola family. Members of this family have been performing this sacred duty for approximately 800 years.
Most astonishingly, they climb the 214-foot-high temple peak without any safety equipment and change the flag. It is said that to date, no member of this family has been injured during this task.
The old flag is believed to absorb negative energy, so a new flag is hoisted every day to express reverence to Lord Jagannath. This flag is not just a piece of cloth, but a symbol of faith, belief, and protection. This mystery of the Jagannath Temple may be beyond science, but for devotees, it is a living proof of the Lord’s power and grace.
