Why Jagannath Puri is called one of the most 'Mysterious' temples of India

Located in Orissa, Jagannath Puri Temple is known for its rich history, rituals, and numerous mysteries. In fact, the mysteries are famous not only to Indians but also have left people abroad in awe of the ancient temple. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, this sacred site draws millions of pilgrims each year, making it one of the holiest destinations in Hinduism.

The greatest mystery surrounding the Jagannath temple is of the dhwaja flying at the top of the mandir. The flag atop the temple always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind and this phenomenon has left scientists and researchers for generations, wondering how it is possible. Some say and believe that this is because of divine powers of Lord Jagannath others say it is nothing more than complex aerodynamic principles at play.
Regardless of how much science and logic people want to apply to the mystery, the explanation of the mysterious behaviour of the flag adds to the temple's mystique.

Another intriguing aspect of the Jagannath Puri Temple is that the temple has been a no-fly zone since ages. And while many religious sites around the world have restrictions on air travel for security or environmental reasons, the ban on flying over the temple is said to have deeper and divine roots.
People say that any aircraft flying over the temple will mysteriously malfunction or encounter technical issues. While sceptics may dismiss this as mere superstition, the fact remains that pilots and aviation authorities adhere to this restriction out of respect. In fact, people hesitate to even fly drones over the temple.

One of the most regular rituals of the temple is also a point of mystery for many. Everyday, the flag atop the Jagannath Puri Temple is replaced without fail. This practice has been going on for generations and is believed to have deep spiritual significance. The precise reasons behind this ritual remains unknown but it is said that if one day the flag isn’t changed, the temple will have to be closed for atleast 18 years!

Another mysterious aspect of the Jagannath temple is the fact that no food is ever wasted in the temple. Be it serving 2000 devotees or 200000, the temple always has enough for everyone and makes sure that no one goes empty handed. And while some might think that this is all because of planning and rationing, the mysterious aspect comes when people claim that the same amount of food is prepared everyday.
That's right! The same amount of food in the same way and yet the food is never wasted or less for someone.