Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026: The holy festival of Lord Jagannath’s Rath Yatra has started in Puri, Odisha from today. During the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath goes on a city tour with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra Devi. During this time, Lord Jagannath, Balbhadra ji and Subhadra Devi go to their aunt’s house and the temple of Gundicha Devi. Many stories related to the temple and Rath Yatra are very popular. One of the most famous stories is that of Muslim devotee Salbeg.
The story of devotee Salbeg not only tells about the power of devotion, but this story also tells that true devotion for God is the greatest introduction. Even today, during the Rath Yatra, the chariot of Lord Jagannath is stopped for some time in front of the shrine of devotee Salbeg.
Why does Jagannath ji’s chariot stop in front of the tomb?
There is a popular belief that once the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath was going from Sri Mandir to Gundicha Devi Temple, then after going some distance, the chariot of the Lord suddenly stopped. The devotees tried hard to move the chariot forward, but all their efforts were unsuccessful. No one could understand why the Lord’s chariot stopped? People started saying all kinds of things. Some were calling it the wish of Lord Jagannath and some were considering it as a divine sign.
It is said that during this time an old man reached among the crowd. He did not create any kind of controversy, but instead drew people’s attention to the tomb of Salbeg situated in front. After this, the devotees also hailed Bhakta Salbeg along with Lord Jagannath. It is said that as soon as the devotees chanted “Jai Bhakta Salbeg” along with “Jai Jagannath”, the stopped chariot started moving again. After this incident, the belief was further strengthened that God definitely stops at the tomb of his beloved devotee to pay respect to him.
Who was Bhakta Salbeg?
It is told in folk tales that the life of devotee Salbeg was related to the Mughal period. His father was Muslim and mother Hindu. Salbeg was seriously injured in a battle. Then his mother advised him to take refuge in Lord Jagannath. Mother told him the glory of God, due to which deep devotion towards God awakened in Salbeg’s mind. He reached Puri, but could not get permission to go to the temple at that time. After this, he started remembering and worshiping Lord Jagannath continuously while staying outside the temple. Gradually his devotion became so strong that he started being counted among the great devotees of Lord Jagannath.
It is said that at the last moment of his life, Salbeg had only one wish to see Lord Jagannath. There is a popular story among the devotees, according to which, Jagannath ji assured Salbeg that in future his Rath Yatra would proceed only after stopping at his place.
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on religious beliefs and general information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.
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