What is the patitapaban bana?

Answer 1

The “Patitapabana Bana” is the fluttering flag atop the crest of the Lord Jagannath's temple in Jagannath Puri, Odisa, India. Flying at a height of 215 feet, the flag keeps ricocheting of the greatness of the Lord. The Length of the Patita Paban Bana Flag is 62 feet (42 Haat) [Now limited to only 19 Haat]

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Among the 36 major rituals or sevas (service rituals to the

Lord Jagannath), one is the the “Chunara Seva” or the act of tying the flag on the pole attached to the Nilachakra – The sacred wheel. The act is done daily and every day by a special group of

sevayatwho carries number of big and small flags to the top of the temple. The flags are either deep red or yellow in color, but a crescent moon and a sun in white colour cloth deck the centre of a flag. The length of the flag varies from 1 feet to 25 feet and may be more. At present there are eight families in Puri who have the right to climb up to the crown of the shrine and elevate the godly ensign.

Before approaching the task, they take seek the blessings of goddess Bimala Devi (Srimati Parvati Devi) who is believed to protect them from adversities. The task which is frought with visible dangers is difficult to perform. Strong wind keep lashing the crown of the temple almost every moment which is enough to unsettle anyone. Add to it the menace of the monkeys that you need to shoo off constantly before approaching the spire. This ritual demands guts. The climber uses neither ladders, nor climbing boots. Neither is the use of any other equipment for climbing is permitted. The sevayat fastens the flags offered by the devotee around his waist and gets going. This is how it has been done since generations. And this is how it is done even today.