Puri: The Patita Pabana flag atop the Srimandira in Puri of Odisha caught fire Thursday. Today is Papamochani ekdasi. Reportedly, lamps had been placed atop the temple on the occasion of Ekadasi today which caught fire due to the gusty winds. However, as per devotees, this is an indication by Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe about coming up of a huge hazard.
Burning of the Patita Pabana bana (flag) has been witnessed for the first ever time, say a few devotee who witnessed the incident.
Patita Pabana flag is fixed atop the famous temple and height of Puri temple is 214 feet. Hence, nobody can see anything that happens near the Nila Chakra from close. However, what was witnessed from far distance was a few lamps were been placed near the Nila Chakra from where the flag caught fire.
As per reports, the flag tied to the metal wheel was reduced to ashes within minutes.
Prasanta Patnaik