Chunara Sebaka

Chunara Sebaka of Mahaprabhu : 

Everyday,one servitor changes the Patitapaavana flag that flutters over the Nilachakra at the top of Shrimandir.

These servitors are known as Chunaraa sevaks.They perform the task of changing the Patitapaavana flag everyday,regardless of the weather and all other circumstances.

Apart from tying the flag,these servitors also perform Garuda Sevaa.They become eligible for Garuda Sevaa only after marriage.

Everyday, after the completion of the Abakasha (bath) rituals of the deities on Ratnasinghasana,these sevaks conduct the bathing rituals of the  Garuda idol present in the Naatamandapa,popularly known as Garuda Stamba.

They also perform the seva of Aruna Stamba at Singhadwaara.

According to Maadala Paanji Karmaangi,and the Temple record of rights,in the past,these sevaks also cleaned any creepers growing on the structure of the temple and also applied lime plasters to the temple.

Also,on every Sankraanti,they clean the Nilachakra and apply Chandan to it.They also adorn the Nilachakra with a new cloth and flowers.

The day before Makara Sankraanti,they apply lime plasters on the Kalasa and Anlaa Bedhaa atop Shrimandir,and newly paint the Ramanandi Tilaka in red.

Everyday at 4pm, two Chunaraa sevaks climb the temple and reach the top.They carry new flags which are to be tied to the Nilachakra.

On reaching the top of the temple, they first worship Shri Dhwajaa Mahaveer,whose shrine is present there.

Then they climb the Anlaa Bedhaa using a metal rope.Then they ascend the Kalasa of the temple and finally reach the Nilachakra.They remove all old flags and tie the new flags to the Nilachakra.After praying for the welfare of the universe,they descend the temple along with all the flags that were removed.

On every Ekaadashi,after the deities are adorned in Badasinghara Besha at night ,three Pujaapandaa sevaks conduct Aalati of the deities using Mahadeepa and then hand them over to Chunaraa sevaks.The Chunaraa sevaks climb the temple and place the Mahadeepa on the Anlaa Bedhaa.They light some special crackers known as Chandraudiaa and pray for the wellbeing of the Gajapati King and also the king of Aathagada.

They also have the task of tying Chaanduaas wherever necessary for rituals.On Deva Deepaabali,these sevaks decorate the temple with earthen lamps.