Decades later, Mauritius native seeks bloodline connections in Odisha’s Jajpur

The age-old bond between the soil and humans has found a living testament in Ramrup Jagurnath, a resident of Mauritius, who has travelled thousands of kilometers to trace his ancestral roots in Odisha's Jajpur. His forefathers, known as Jagannath, were taken from Jajpur to Mauritius as slaves during the British colonial period, and his family has been settled there for generations.

Despite having never met his ancestors or knowing their exact location in Jajpur, Ramrup has embarked on a journey of discovery. At the Siddheshwar Ghat of the Baitarani River, he performed last rites and pindadaan rituals for his forefathers’ remains, symbolically reconnecting with his ancestral land.

He has made this journey from Mauritius to Jajpur four times, and this time feels a strong calling from the soil of his forefathers.

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“I have come here three times, and this is my fourth time. I don’t come here to find or get something. I feel like this land is calling me. Odisha, Jajpur, call me, forcing me to come here. I come here to meet my friends, pay darshan, and leave. My blood is from here,” exclaimed an excited Ramrup. 

During his seven-day stay in Jajpur, Ramrup plans to visit the Maa Biraja Temple to seek blessings and engage with the district administration, presenting documents he has brought with him.

He has expressed his determination to continue the search for his living blood relatives and learn about their current whereabouts, despite the challenges of tracing family connections across generations and continents.

Ramrup’s journey underscores the enduring link between heritage, identity, and the land, highlighting how individuals continue to seek connection with their roots even across oceans.