Eagle Spotted With Flag Above Puri's Shree Jagannath Temple Bearing Sacred Neelachakra Of Lord Jagannath, Sparks Debate

Bhubaneswar: On April 13, around 5 PM, an extraordinary and rare sight unfolded above the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. An eagle, locally known as Shankha Chila, was seen soaring above the temple with a flag bearing the sacred Neelachakra (blue wheel) of Lord Jagannath entangled in its claws. The majestic bird circled the temple with the flag fluttering beneath it, captivating onlookers. Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media.

Event Stirs Widespread Public Discussion

The event stirred widespread public discussion. While some interpreted the spectacle as an ominous sign for the state and the country, linking it to possible political turmoil or natural calamities, others regarded it as an auspicious omen, a divine message from Lord Jagannath.

Sri Ramakrishna Das Mahapatra, the Chief Daitapati and Badagrahi servitor of Goddess Suvedra, urged the public to remain calm. “There is no cause for alarm,” he explained. “The upper reaches of the temple are among the safest spots for birds, which is why both native and migratory species often rest there. On that particular day, the eagle likely got a decorative thread from the flag entangled in its claws. Disturbed by the discomfort, it circled the temple to free itself. This is a natural occurrence, not a supernatural one.”

Sarat Mohanty, a veteran Chunara servitor hoisting the temple flag atop the Neelachakra for over four decades, dismissed all negative interpretations. “The temple is home to hundreds of birds. Perhaps the eagle was drawn to the Lord’s flag. Nothing is alarming about this,” he said. Mohanty, who has long been associated with rituals at the temple, added that Lord Jagannath often gives subtle signs ahead of major events, whether good or bad.

He recalled several such incidents:

In late 2019, on the day of Ekadashi, a spark from the Mahadeepa (sacred lamp) atop the temple flew toward the Patitapabana Bana (sacred flag), setting it aflame. Not long after, the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the state and country.

On another occasion, just hours after the government and meteorological department issued a cyclone warning, strong winds tore the temple flag down. However, Odisha was largely spared from the cyclone's wrath.

“Recently, a falcon circled the temple carrying a flag and then flew toward the sea. This should not be seen as a bad omen,” he said. “Lord Hanuman, who sits atop the Jagannath Temple, is always guarding it. The Neelachakra is none other than Chandra Narayan himself, and tulsi garlands offered there are often picked up and carried away by birds.”

Sarat Mama, a senior press photographer from Puri closely associated with the temple, also weighed in. Using a telephoto lens, he captured a rare photograph of the falcon perched on the flag near the Neelachakra. He emphasized that people from around the world place offerings atop the temple, and such incidents should not be misconstrued. By sharing this image, he hopes to clear public doubts and restore clarity around the event.

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