Puri: Days after an eagle was seen perched atop the flag of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, a sacred flag known as the ‘Manasika Bana’ tore while being tied atop the temple on Wednesday evening.

According to reports, the ritual was being carried out by the Chhunara servitors, who are traditionally responsible for tying flags on the temple. The incident occurred when they were in the process of fastening the ‘Manasika Bana’ offered by devotees.

The Manasika Bana is tied every day below the ‘Patitapabana Bana’, which remains connected to the Neelachakra (the sacred wheel) atop the temple. Devotees offer these flags as part of their religious vows and prayers to Lord Jagannath.

Witnesses said the flag tore while the servitors were tying it during the evening ritual. However, the servitors immediately replaced it and tied another flag at the same spot.

Such rituals of tying flags atop the temple are carried out daily by the Chhunara servitors and hold deep religious significance for devotees visiting the shrine.

Earlier, on March 5, an eagle perching atop the temple flag had triggered intense discussions among devotees and locals, as many consider birds sitting on the shrine’s flag to be a bad omen.