Puri's 'Patitapabana Bana' adds to the beauty of Nilachakra

'Nilachakra' atop the holy temple in Puri is extraordinary, attractive and magnificent because of the presence of a flag known as 'Patitapabana Bana' flying on its mast. The uniqueness of this 'Patitapabana Bana' of the Supreme Lord Jagannath or 'Purushottam' is shrouded in mystery like the mysterious Lord Himself. Looking at this holy flag on the top of 'Nilachakra' with both the eyes is considered as a means to get rid of sins and be bestowed with divine blessings.

Puri (Odisha):The holy temple town of Puri known as 'Nilachala Dham' is situated on the shores of the Blue Ocean (Bay of Bengal). Lord Sudarshan, also known as 'Chakraraj', the symbol of Lord Vishu’s discus, is beautifully placed on a blue wheel on the top of the grand temple of Puri or 'Purusottam Khetra' which is located on a blue hill and happens to be the abode of Supreme Lord Jagannath.

This 'Nilachakra' is extraordinary, attractive and magnificent because of the presence of a flag known as 'Patitapabana Bana' flying on its mast. This flag is called "Patitapabana Bana" because it is regarded as the saviour of the sinful persons.

The uniqueness of this 'Patitapabana Bana' of the Supreme Lord Jagannath or 'Purushottam' is shrouded in mystery like the mysterious Lord Himself. This flag flies in the direction opposite of the wind. As per the tradition, the colour of the flag is white, red and yellow. The shape of the flag is triangular and in its centre, there is a figure of the moon looking upwards and a figure of Sun God within it.

As per the rituals, it is forbidden to keep the same flag flying for more than one day. Every evening the old flag is brought down and a new flag is fixed on the 'Nilachakra'.

Unless there is a flag on the 'Nilachakra', no food is offered to Lord Jagannath. If the flag on the 'Nilachakra' is blown away, the 'Chunra' servitor immediately climbs to the top of the 'Srimandira' (Temple) and fixes a new flag.

Every day in the evening the 'Chunra' servitors fix a new flag on the 'Nilchakra'. Thousands of devotees see the scene with their own eyes. This scene of bringing down the old flag and putting up a new one on the 'Nilachakra' is beautiful, unique and sensational.

Looking at this holy flag on the top of 'Nilachakra' with both their eyes, the devotees, the sinful persons, the wealthy people, the suffering people, saints, sages and all well-intentioned persons get rid of all their sins and they are also bestowed with divine blessings.