A ritual 215 ft above sea level

As the person appeared on top of the Jagannath Temple of Puri and started to change the flag, the crowd gathered there, started cheering up, “Jai-Jagannath”. Everyday a new flag is prepared of triangular shape and a person climbs up the temple at sunset, his back supporting with the wall carrying the bundle of new flags, and after changing the flag, he brings down the previous days flag and climbs down, with his back supporting on the temple wall.
The Jagannath temple 215 ft.high, where the flag is replaced every day throughout the year, at the sunset. Except during the period of the Rath yatra ,and simultaneously a new flag is hoisted with a post, attached to the Chakra (wheel).The Chakra or Wheel is at top of the temple, made of eight types of metals, 11 ft. 8 inch. in length and circumference is 36 ft, the wheel is also called the Neela Chakra and Vishnu Chakra. The Jagannath Temple is an excellent example of Kalinga architecture. During the eighth century to eleventh century the temples of Odisha, were constructed. Temple of Lord Jagannath was constructed during that period.

The Jagannath Temple of Puri

The person hoists the flag everyday belongs the family or the sevayats who were given the rights for hoisting the flag 800 years ago by the king who built the Puri Jagannath Temple. To overcome fear of height, the male members of the family are to practice vigorously and learn the art of climbing the temple starting at an age of 10-12 years. It is very thrilling sight to see a person climbing such a high temple without any climbing gear or any other external support. It is believed to bring luck if a piece of flag can be collected from the hands of the person, who hoisted the flag. The man starts distributing the flag or piece of the same among the pilgrims immediately after coming down from the top. It is believed the extent of earning result is the same, as the extent of faith on Lord Jagannath.

How to reach: Puri is well connected by Rail and Road, with all the parts of rest of the India. Puri can be reached by direct trains or the trains to Bhubaneswar can be availed, and Puri can be reached by road or rail from Bhubaneswar. Website of Indian rail indianrail.gov.in can be visited for details.