Puri: Just two days before cyclone Amphan hit Odisha coast, Patitapabana Bana atop Srimandir here had snapped off on May 18. Once again, the Holy flag attached to the Nilachakra atop the temple torn into pieces today leaving people apprehensive of something bad happening in future.

It is suspected that the 'Bana' torn into pieces due to lightning raising question on the earthing system of the centuries-old temple.

Two years ago, a  team of engineers from General Electrical Department (GED), Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had inspected the earthing system of the temple. The team had then informed that eight of the 12 spikes of the lightning arrester fixed at Anlabedha of the temple had broken.

On May 18, the Holy flag was blown away by strong wind ahead of cyclone Amphan. This had triggered panic among people as some termed the incident as 'inauspicious' stating that they had encountered similar incident during cyclone FANI in 2019. Many others also termed it as a 'bad sign' citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, servitors on the other hand had ruled out such 'negative' remarks stating that Lord Jagannath saved the people of the state by changing the cyclone's direction.

Earlier on March 19, the Bana had caught fire from a 'Diya' that was placed near the Nilachakra.

Meanwhile, heavy rain  lashed the pilgrim town today leading to halting of chariot construction work due to water-logging on Bada Danda.