Tuhina Sahoo
In Hinduism, there is a profound belief that if a person dies during the occasion of Rath Yatra, he attains Moksha (salvation) and is liberated from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Rath Yatra is the ancient, traditional journey undertaken by Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Descriptions of this Yatra can be found in sacred texts such as the Brahma Purana, Padma Purana, Skanda Purana, and Kapila Samhita.
During this Yatra, the Holy Trinity visits its place of birth, the Gundicha Temple, and stays there for nine days. On the ninth day, the grand return journey, Bahuda Yatra, takes place.
It is believed that being born on Rath Yatra is an auspicious event, as it signifies commencing one's journey on earth alongside Lord Jagannath’s journey. Rath Yatra is also referred to as the Jeevan Yatra, symbolising the journey of life with the Lord, from beginning to end. Therefore, passing away on Bahuda, which coincides with the Lord's return to His abode, is considered a blessed event, ensuring the person's union with its creator and attainment of Moksha.
The significance of this day is highlighted in Hindu mythology, with numerous devotional songs like “Janami thili mun Shri Gundicha dina, marantiki mun bahuda re” (I was born on Rath Yatra and I aspire to die on Bahuda).
Until the nineteenth century, there was a belief that death by being crushed under the wheels of Lord Jagannath’s chariot along the Grand Road was a guaranteed method of reaching heaven and attaining nirvana. However, this practice was halted, and the district administration now makes elaborate arrangements during the car festival to prevent such deaths.
Purna Chandra Rath explains, "These are all beliefs of the people. If you are born on Rath Yatra, you are considered to be a blessed child, and if your death occurs coincidentally on Bahuda, it is thought to be a blessing of not taking rebirth."
Similarly, Dr Rabinarayan Sahu adds, "If a person dies on auspicious occasions such as Rath Yatra, he is liberated from the cycle of births and rebirths. It is also considered great luck when one is born on Rath Yatra. There is nothing like returning to God's home on Bahuda, which coincides with the Lord's return to His abode."
