Bhubaneswar: A video capturing an eagle flying with a flag resembling the Patitapaban Bana, the sacred banner hoisted atop the Neela Chakra of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, went viral on Sunday, sparking widespread curiosity and speculation among devotees and locals alike.
In the footage, the bird is seen circling the revered Srimandir while clutching the flag-like cloth, before soaring towards the sea and vanishing from sight. Eyewitnesses claimed the incident occurred around 5 pm, coinciding with a Nor’wester that swept through the coastal town, triggering a brief storm.
According to local residents, the eagle initially hovered near the temple’s western gate before heading out towards the ocean. Notably, the storm began to subside shortly after the bird disappeared.
While the cloth bore a strong resemblance to the temple’s Patitapaban Bana, it remains unclear whether it was indeed the original flag or a similar-looking piece.
As of Sunday evening, the Shree Jagannath Temple administration had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
