Rath Yatra 2025: The Heartfelt Story of Salabega, Lord Jagannath’s Muslim Devotee

Celebrate Rath Yatra 2025 by remembering Salabega, the Muslim poet whose love for Lord Jagannath knew no boundaries.

Every year, as millions gather on the streets of Puri to pull the grand chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, there’s a deep spiritual energy that fills the air. Rath Yatra 2025, like every year, celebrates not just a festival, but a feeling—a divine journey of love, devotion, and unity. Amidst the chants of “Jai Jagannath,” there echoes the timeless story of Salabega, a Muslim devotee whose love for Lord Jagannath transcended all boundaries.

Who Was Salabega? A Devotee Beyond Religion

Salabega’s story is not just a tale from history—it’s a spiritual journey that still inspires those who walk the path of devotion (bhakti).

He was born to a Muslim Mughal officer and a Hindu Brahmin woman, in a time when religious boundaries were strong. But his life took a different turn, led by faith.

During a military campaign, Salabega was badly injured and nearly died. While recovering, he had a divine dream where Lord Jagannath appeared and healed him. That one moment changed his life forever.

What started as a feeling of gratitude became deep devotion. From that day on, Salabega became a true devotee of Lord Jagannath, writing poems and songs full of love and surrender to the Lord of the Universe.

Ahe Nila Saila: A Song of the Soul

One of Salabega’s most famous compositions, Ahe Nila Saila, remains a spiritual anthem among Odia devotees. His bhajans are not mere songs; they are heartfelt conversations with the Divine. He never saw himself as different—though a Muslim by birth, his soul belonged to Lord Jagannath. His words, soaked in devotion, still echo through temples and homes during Rath Yatra, connecting generations through timeless faith.

According to official records of the Odisha Government, Salabega is remembered as “one of the greatest devotional poets of Odisha, who dedicated his entire life to the glorification of Lord Jagannath.” His poetry continues to inspire saints, seekers, and simple devotees alike.

The Miracle of Rath Yatra: When the Chariot Waited

Perhaps the most beautiful part of Salabega’s story is the miracle during Rath Yatra. Once, Salabega fell gravely ill and could not reach Puri in time for the procession. With a heavy heart, he prayed to Lord Jagannath to wait for him.

And the Lord did.

Legend says the mighty chariot of Lord Jagannath, Nandighosha, came to a sudden halt and wouldn’t move—despite efforts from priests, elephants, and devotees—until Salabega arrived. That spot on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) where the chariot stopped is now marked by a shrine in

Salabega’s honor. Even today, the chariot is said to pause briefly there every year, as if remembering their sacred bond.

This miracle reminds us that bhakti knows no caste, creed, or religion. It’s the pure longing of a soul for its Divine Beloved—and in that love, all barriers melt.

Rath Yatra 2025: A Festival of Oneness and Devotion

Rath Yatra 2025 begins with ancient rituals like Snana Purnima, where the deities are bathed with 108 pots of holy water. After this, the chariots are consecrated in a sacred ceremony called Rath Pratistha. Then comes the grand event where lakhs of devotees pull the deities’ chariots from the main temple to the Gundicha Temple, symbolizing Lord Jagannath’s journey to his maternal home.

The return journey is called Bahuda Yatra, and the festival concludes with Niladri Vijaya, when the deities return to their sanctum.

But while all this grandeur unfolds, the soul of Rath Yatra lies in stories like Salabega’s. His story teaches us that Lord Jagannath is truly “Patita Pavana”—the savior of the fallen, the beloved of every heart, regardless of religion.

Salabega’s Legacy: A Timeless Message of Unity

In today’s world, where people are often divided by religion and identity, Salabega’s story gives us hope. His life reminds us that God does not belong to just one religion, one name, or one tradition. True devotion comes from the heart, and God listens to love, not just rituals.

This Rath Yatra 2025, as we chant Lord Jagannath’s name and pull the sacred chariots, let us also bring closer the values that Salabega lived by—faith without fear, love without boundaries, and devotion that unites us all.

Let us never forget: the chariot stopped, not for a priest or a king, but for a simple devotee—because bhakti (devotion) is the strongest way to reach God.