PILGRIM PLACES
GURUDWARA CHATTI
PATSHAHI BANGLA SAHIB, RAJOURI
Apart from a number of Gurudwaras existing in the District,
Gurudwara Chhati Padshahi Rajouri is very important religious place which has
been constructed in the memory of 6th Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji (1595-1646 AD)
who stayed at this place in 1616 AD when he was on the way to
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Photo : Maharajkar
Singh Isher |
As per the legend, once Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji
Maharaj had a dream that Mai Bhag Wanti
(popularly known as Mai Bhagpari)
in Kashmir had
prepared a Cloak
(long shirt/Cholla) for Guru Ji and
she is praying to God for the darshan of
Guru Ji
so that she can present it to Guru
Ji because due to old-age, she was not in a position to visit Punjab and fulfil her aspiration of
presenting Cholla to Guru Ji. Therefore,
Guru Ji decided to visit Kashmir
and take present from the devotee
Mai Bhag Wanti and to preach Sikhism in the mountainous belt of Peer-Panchal
and Kashmir.
After 1947, a Gurudwara Committee was constituted
under the president ship of Sardar
Thakur Singh and
Bhai Jagannath was the
Vice-President while late Nanak Chand
was the Secretary of the Committee.
Since there was very limited space for Diwan purposes
where the Sangat
was feeling inconvenience during
the congregation because
the accommodation was only for 60-70 persons in the Diwan Hall and the conditions of the Gurudwara was also deteriorating, therefore, it was
felt for the
re-construction of the building.
In 1960, a memorandum was passed by the Sangat for reconstruction of Gurudwara
Chhati Padshahi Rajouri and the Committee was
asked to work for the
construction and collection of funds.
In 1964, the
blue print of new Gurudwara was prepared by a Engineer
Sardar Tara Singh of Punjab who was
working in MES as SDO and was posted at Rajouri at that time. After the
approval of blue
print by the
Sangat, the construction was started in 1964. The mesons and carpenters were brought from
Punjab for giving Sikh architectural touch. By this way, the
first phase of the building
had been completed. The four-storey Gurudwara has accommodation
of 15 rooms for yatries apart from a big Diwan Hall. A Pathshalla comprising of 8 rooms is being
constructed and a school namely "Shri Hargobind Sahib Ji Institute of Education" has
started functioning from April, 2000.
Presently, the Gurudwara Management
Committee comprise of Sardar Nirman
Singh as President,
Sardar Daljit Singh as Secretary and Sevadar Chattar Singh & Bhai Ranjit Singh apart from other members of the Committee.
No doubt that there are only 17 Sikh
families residing in the Town and some Sikh families are habitating in
the villages like Saranoo, Bathuni,
Mera, Sawni, Gurdhanbala and Sadhyal, Dehrian-Tralla, Chityari etc. but the
Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi is having great importance for Hindus also and number of Hindu devotees are daily
visiting the Gurudwara for offering the
prayer. The main congregation is
organized on Sunday and the Birthday of Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj is celebrated with great enthusiasm jointly by Sikhs and Hindus
every year.
ZIARAT SHAHDARA SHARIEF
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Photo : Maharajkar Singh
Isher |
Ziarat
Shahdara Sharief is about 35 Kms in the north of Rajauri and 5 Kms from
Thannamandi. The famous Ziarat is surrounded by beautiful high mountain peeks,
thick belt of forests, green pastures, springs and strings.
The village was in ancient time known as “Simha Dwara” in Sanskrit. Later
on the name changed from Simha Dwara to “Shindhara” meaning the place of lions.
In 1765 AD, when a great Sant and religious preacher Hazrat Sayeed Ghulam Shah
Baadshah reached this place and started meditation, the people renamed this
place after the name of great Sant as “Shahdara”.
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Photo : Maharajkar
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Thousands of people from all
religions visit the shrine every year and offer prayers. Presently, three to
four thousand people took meal from langar every day while the Kashmiri
tea(saltish tea) in Samawar is served to the pilgrims all the times. Four
thousand people can be accommodated in the Ziarat, while 800 people can be
provided beds also. Ten thousand people can offer prayer in Jamia Masjid
Shahdara Shrief. The Urs of Hazrat Ghulam Shah Baadshah is celebratd on 10th
of Muharram every year. Normally, villagers bring with them atta, rice and
other goods apart from cash to offer on the shrine. During 1998-99 about
13,00,000 pilgrims visited Shahdara Shrief while the cash offering received
during the year was Rs.2.05 crores.
MANGLA MATA
Mangla Mata Dev
Asthan is located near
village Bhawani in Nowshera Tehsil of
District Rajouri in a forest
area. Originally, it was
located in Hamirpur after the name of Mangla Mai (now in
In those
days, a shepherd who was residing near Mangla Mata said that this is all fraud and Mangla Mata cannot shift himself
from Hamirpur to this place. He took the pindies of Mangla Mata and tried
to destroy but could not. When the followers came to know about it, they
immediately re-installed the pindi in the
cave. On the other hand, the
shepherd who had destroyed the pindi fell from
a tree and his back-bone was
broken and lateron he died with this vary pain.
It is
a beautiful cave with the pindies
of Mangla Mata. No doubt that the people are visiting
every day to this place, but two important melas are also organized
during the days of Navratras during the
months of April and
September, every year. It is said that the people had seen tigers visiting the site during night hours. Apart from the pindies, there are two snakes of stones carved
in the cave. It is said that
originally, this cave was closed but
when the people started coming for darshan of Mata Ji, the cave
automatically opened. Apart from main cave, there are two other
caves also namely Vaishnoo Cave and Naina Mata Cave. The pindies of Naina Mata are also installed
in the cave.
It is said that in 1974-75, Raja Karan Singh had a
dream in which Mangla Mata gave him darshan.
He rushed from Jammu, reached at this place and offered prayer. After
that, the asthan became popular in the area. Every month on the
night of
full moon, the people of
surrounding area come
for Jagrata and remain
engaged in bhajan
and kirtan for
the whole night. Presently, a committee has been constituted for the management of
the asthan. A Yatri Nivas has also been constructed apart from pacca path which
is leading towards the asthan from the main road. Power and water supply is available at
site. Yatries cook
their meals in the Langar. The
asthan is located in a beautiful forest area.
The scenic beauty of the area is such that this place can be
developed as religious tourism by
constructing Sarais, viewing desks, Dak
Bungalows etc. By this way, the economy
of the area can also be developed apart from the encouragement of the yatries
PEER BADESAR
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About 60 Kms. to the west of Rajouri town a small
village known as Veer Vadweshavar is situated just on the border between Rajouri
and the Pak Occupied Kashmir. On the top of this hill at a height of plus 5000
ft. above sea level an ancient temple after the name of Veer Vadweshavar
exists. Since the temple is located in the restricted area, prior permission of
the District Magistrate is required. The bus journey between Rajouri to Temple
takes three hours on a light vehicle. The bus service terminates at Keri from
where the restricted area starts and onwards journey is made only after getting
permission from the local army authorities. The moment one reaches at the top
of the hill, one feels that he has reached in some unique sacred place on this
earth. The view of some of the villages of the Pak Occupied Kashmir is quite
clear. The temple was got constructed by King Kaniishka in the year 142
A.D.
All the four sides of the temple and both the sides
of the passage to the temple are covered with numerous bells which on shaking
produce melodious sound.
It is said that this temple belongs to the Lord
Shiva and Goddess Sati. This temple was got constructed by Kanishka in the
memory of Veer Vadweshavar, the son of Lord Shiva. The legend goes that in the
ancient times, the father of Sati named king Dakasha had arranged a huge
congregation in which free food was served to the people after the
"Havan" ceremony. In the said function king Dakasha did not invite
either Shivji or Sati, but without any prior invitation Sati came to attend the said function. Seeing
her presence king Dakasha talked very ill of Shivji as well asSati. Since Sati could
not tolerate this humiliation to her and to her husband in his absence, She
preferred to burn herself alive in the burning "Kund". When Shivji
wastold about this episode, he got so angry that he forcefully threw his
"Jata" (entangled mass of hairs on his head) on the earth. As legend
goes, Veer Vadweshavar took birth out of this "Jata" to avenge the
humiliation done to his mother. Thus in his life time Veer Vadeshavar attacked
the kingdom of Daksha and gave him a trouncing defeat. On his way back Veer
Vadweshavar stayed at this place where king Kanishka, later on, constructed a
temple. Henceforth people started calling this area as "Peer Badesar"
instead of "Veer"
The Pakistani forces not only damaged this temple in
1947 but also captured it. However, a little later in 1948 the Indian forces
re-captured this area after inflicting
heavy losses to the enemy's side.
It is also said that once upon a time there used to
live a kind-hearted Lumberdar in a nearby village. He had only one son whose
legs were too weak to move and as such remained mostly confined to bed. For the
well being of his son, he used to come to seek the blessings of this Temple.
One day when all the members of Lumberdar's family were out, his lonely son was
lying in his cot in the open veranda, suddenly a strange animal appeared in
front of his house and started jumping at the tied Cows and Buffaloes. Feeling
nervous, the boy jumped inside the room and began to realize that his legs were
as strong as arms. He picked up sharp-edged weapon lying behind the door and
charged on the animal. In the evening when Lamberdar and other family members
returned, they were astonished and glad to hear about the bravery of the boy.
Overjoyed, the Lumberdar narrated the whole story to the people of surrounding
areas. He tool huge quantity of padddy, Maize, cash, etc. and went to the
temple to offer al,l these things to this temple with folded hands. There is
prayed and said "To some you may be Devta, Guru or Saint but to me you are
Great Peer". Thenceforth people started calling this area as "Peer
Badesar" instead of "Veer Vadweshvar".
ZIARAT SAIN GANJI SAHIB
Another equally important place of pilgrimage is the
shrine of Sain Ganji Sahib Qadri located about 10 kms, from Rajouri town
over-looking Darhal nallah, which too attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout
the year especially on the eve of the annual Urs which usually takes place in
the first week of October every year. The Shrine is regarded as a symbol of
purity and tolerance and it is because of the sanctity of the place that a
large number of people belonging to different religions visit there to seek the
blessings of the Saint. Born in a Gujjar family at Fatehpur near Rajouri, the
Baba was a mystic who become a legend in his life time and devoted his
entire life for the betterment of
mankind. About 10 thousand devotees
visited the shrine on the occasion of this year's Urs celebration on 4th and
5th of October.
DERA BABA BEERAM SHAH
During 17th Century, the 6th Guru Ji had sent number
of Saints from Punjab towards the mountainous
ranges and foothills of Peer-Panchal for spreading of Sikh-ism and
teachings of Guru Ji. One of such Saint
was Baba Beeram Shah Ji Dutt of Sialkote
(Pakistan) who established his Dera at Jhangar and remained visiting
Nowshera, Dharamsal (Kalakote Tehsil),
Rajouri and Poonch and NWFP areas. The
Deras of Baba Beeram Shah are still
existing in these places. The number of
followers of Baba Beeram Shah Ji Dutt is in lacs.
The Dera Baba Beeram Shah Ji Dutt is located on a
mound. Apart from Gurudwara Sahib, a
yatri house has also been constructed.
Recently, a road has been approved by a local MLA, which will connect
the Dera Baba Beeram Shah Ji with the main road. The followers of Baba Beeram Shah Ji are
visiting the Dera every day. The main
function is organized every year on the following Sunday of Baisakhi. Hindus and Sikhs from all over Poonch and
Rajouri areas are visiting the Dera and participate in the mela. The people of
the village are having blind faith on Baba Beeram Shah Ji. They say that though the actual line of
control is passing through the village and every day the enemy is shelling on
the village but due to the blessing of Baba Beeram Shah Ji, people are safe and
no loss of life has taken place.
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Photo : Maharajkar
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A few Kms. away from Rajouri town is another, shrine
named Panch Pir. A large number of people including Army and Para Military
personnel visit the place round the
year especially on Thursdays for seeking blessings and paying obeisance. Being
located at the road side, the shrine is within the easy reach of every
passerby. These are the graves of five saint brothers and a sister who had come
here from Punjab.
BABA SAKHI SULTAN
Even the ever busy and over crowded Rajouri town
itself is not without the privilege of such divine blessings. In the heart of
the town, there exists the shrine of Baba Sakhi Sultan, is the place thronged
by people professing varied faiths for spiritual strength.
NAOGAZI ZIARAT
The Ziarat of Qutab Shah Wali at Dani Dhar
near Rajouri is also very popular which came up around the 9 yard long grave of
the Saint, and locally known as Naogazi, meaning nine years, Ziarat. People of
different religions visit the place round the year to seek blessings of the
Saint whole family lineage is believed to be the same as that of Roshan Shah
Wali Sahib, whose shrine exists at Jammu.
CHANI PRAT TEMPLE
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Photo : Maharajkar
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About 10 kms. from Sunderbani is located the
majestic two storeyed Raghunath temple at an isolated place near village Chani
Prat, which is believed to have been constructed during the reign of Maharaja
Gulab Singh, through the efforts of a Sadhu who had casually visited the place as a matter of routine wandering.
He liked the place very much and wanted to stay
there for meditation. After spending some time, the idea of constructing a
temple struck his mind. The construction was started on the pattern of the
double storey Varansi temple, the map of which was brought by the Sadhu
alongwith him. The structure and design of the temple is unique because there is no temple of such
structure in this region. It contains the images of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshman and
Hanuman. Miniature paintings on the walls depict various episodes of Mahabarata
and Ramayana epics. A grand yagya is arranged at the temple on 6th and 7th of
June every year.
MANMA MATA TEMPLE
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Photo : Maharajkar
Singh Isher |
Another important place in Kalakote area is "Shrine of Manma
Mata". The temple
is about 6 kms from Kalakote Town located in the
Southern side. There is a cave at site
and legend goes that Lord Shiva had gone to
Kashmir via this cave. Lateron,
Manma Mata Devi had come to this place
and meditated for several years in the cave.
Once a bull fell from the
top of the mound where the cave
is existing, but the bull remained protected
due to the spiritual power of Manma
Mata. Thereafter, the habitants
started worshiping this place. A beautiful temple of Manma Mata
near the cave along side the
road has been constructed by
the devotees. Every year, Yagya
is organised in the temple of Manma Mata on
the eve of Navratras. Devotees from various places of Kalakote and Rajouri
participate in this Yagya.
Similary, at Banpuri temple in Sunderbani, a
grand Yagya takes place on every Baisakhi in which large number of people from
Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts participate and perform religious rites.
The Ziarat of Sain Walidad located at village Bhathian in Thannamandi against
the backdrop of the towering Pir Kalewa Mountain is also a prominent place of
worship and attracts a number of pilgrims. The Ziarat at Rattan Pir also
commands great respect by people of different communities.
In short, there is hardly any locality in the
district where is no shrine of community or the other.
