Flag on Balabhadra’s chariot blown away during Ratha Jatra

Puri: The flag of the Taladhwaja, the chariot of Lord Balabhadra, was blown away today soon after it was set up atop the chariot during the world famous Ratha Jatra in the pilgrim city.

As per the ‘Pratistha’ ritual, the flag (neta) was set up atop Taladhwaja. However, after some time servitor Dinabandhu Pujapanda found the flag lying on the ground following a gush of air.

Narayana Ramanuja Das, another servitor, opined, “Only God can say why the flag flew away. We can take this to mean that the incident indicates towards some misfortune in future. We pray before the god to minimise its impact.”