Flag changing Ceremony
During my recent visit I happened to witness this grandeur event known as Dhwaja Parivartan or the Flag Change in the premises of the temple. I watched this 800 years old flag hosting ceremony for the first time.Two persons trained since their childhood belonging to particular Chola Family climb up without any help. They are so well trained that it looks as if they are not climbing but flying. Both while having a large number of flags tied around their waste, climb so swiftly that on each step they climb, one can hear the echoing sound of "Jai Jagannath".
They climb and finally change the flag by putting up a new one and bring down the old flags. This is a sight which is never missed. As a part of the daily ritual a new flag measuring 20ft long and triangular in shape is prepared everyday by a male member of the Chola family.
The timing is 5 pm during winter and 6pm during summer time.