June 28, 2025: In the heart of Odisha’s Rath Yatra festivities lies a tale that continues to stir devotion centuries after it began — the miraculous pause of Lord Jagannath’s chariot for his beloved devotee, Salabega.
According to legend, Salabega, a 17th-century Muslim devotee of Lord Jagannath, once fell gravely ill and couldn’t reach Puri in time for the grand chariot festival. In a divine turn of events, it is believed that the Lord’s chariot halted on its own just outside the city and did not move until Salabega arrived. That spot, now sanctified with a shrine in his memory on the Grand Road (Bada Danda), has since become a revered pause point during every Rath Yatra.
Even today, the tradition endures. Each year, as Lord Jagannath’s chariot rolls through the sea of devotees, it slows or halts near the shrine of Salabega — a powerful symbol of the Lord’s boundless grace that transcends religion, caste, or background.
“This moment reaffirms the Lord’s love for his true devotees. Salabega’s story is a reminder that faith knows no boundaries,” says Jagannath temple priest Achyutananda Das.
Salabega’s bhajans and poetry, many of which are still sung during the Rath Yatra, have become a core part of Odisha’s devotional culture. His compositions express deep love and longing for Lord Jagannath, echoing the emotions of countless devotees.
The Rath Yatra, one of India’s oldest and largest chariot festivals, is not just about the grand spectacle of wooden chariots and throngs of worshippers. It is also about stories like that of Salabega — stories of faith so profound that even gods are said to wait.
As the chariots continue their divine journey this year, the pause near Salabega’s shrine will once again evoke silence, awe, and reverence — a living testimony to the power of devotion that bridges all divides.