Kantabanji: In the heart of Odisha, where the very air hums with devotion, the name Santosh Singh Saluja resonates not just as a senior Congress leader, but as a living testament to unwavering faith in Lord Jagannath. As the auspicious Rath Jatra draws near, a deeply revered tradition continues, woven with threads of silk and profound spiritual dedication.
Every year, a palpable sense of anticipation fills the Jagannath temples within the Kantabanji assembly segment. It is here that Santosh Singh Saluja, with a heart overflowing with reverence, undertakes the sacred task of providing lengths of exquisite silk – the “pata bastra” – essential for the divine adornment of the deities during the Rath Jatra and countless other sacred rituals.
This is no mere political gesture; it is an act of pure, unadulterated devotion, a continuation of a legacy that underscores the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha.
Recently, the sacred journey led him to Muribahal block, where with folded hands and a humble spirit, he presented these precious silk lengths to 21 Jagannath temples. Each offering is a prayer, a silent dialogue between a devotee and his Lord, a reaffirmation of a bond forged over a lifetime.
Indeed, Santosh Singh Saluja’s journey has been marked by trials that would test the strongest of spirits. Attacked by criminals, facing serious health issues that threatened to consume him, he has walked through valleys of shadows.
Yet, through each ordeal, a miraculous hand has guided him, a divine shield has protected him. He himself attributes his survival, his very breath, to the “gracious blessings of Lord Jagannath.” It is a testament to the profound belief that when devotion is true, even the darkest storms yield to the light of divine grace.
His life stands as a beacon for all who seek solace and strength in faith. It reminds us that in the ebb and flow of life’s challenges, there is an anchor – the unshakeable devotion to a higher power.
As the vibrant chariots prepare to roll, carrying the Lord of the Universe, Santosh Singh Saluja’s annual offering is more than just silk; it is a profound expression of gratitude, a vibrant thread in the tapestry of Odisha’s spiritual heritage, and a powerful testament to the enduring, saving grace of Lord Jagannath.