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Jammu and Kashmir, India   

One of the most important aspect of the society of district Poonch is that people belonging to all the major religions constitute it.It makes district Poonch a model of the world as for multicultural aspect is concerned. Whereas people belonging to different religions/cultures are seen fighting each other everywhere, this part of the world is an exceptional one as inhabitants of this place live together harmoniously.

As peoples of the place follow different religions, different religious places exit in the district and are famous for the pilgrimage. Following are the famous most visited religious places in the district:

Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is situated in the lap of a picturesque  hill  and on the banks of Drungali Nallah about 7 kms from Poonch Town. It is approximately 240 Kms from General Bus Stand Jammu and is connected to it (Jammu) through Road Network. Pilgrims outside state may use railways or air services upto Jammu. It is one of the oldest Shrine of the Sikhs in Northern India. Presently the Gurudwara complex consists of about 70  rooms, Langar Hall and gurudwara building. Large number of devotees belonging to all faiths visit this shrine from all over the Country every year.

The gurudwara was established by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh ji (Fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh ji) in the 1803 AD. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited Gurudwara Nangali Sahib in 1814 and was impressed very much. He attached an estate with the Gurudwara sahib. He  again attached a four villages with the Gurudwara sahib in the year 1823.

During 1947 original building was completely burnt by the

Gurdwara Nangali Sahib
[ Photograph courtesy : Mahrajkar Singh Ishar
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri]

Pakistan supported attacking tribes men.With the donations   and efforts of Sangat (peoples having faith in Almighty) the Gurudwara was reconstructed by Mahant Bachitar Singh ji.This Gurudwara has remained as focus of the Sikhism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Round the clock Langar (community kitchen), rest house facility is provided to the pilgrims without considering their religion,caste and creed etc.  Although people visit this shrine daily but on Sundays a large congregation( Diwan) is being held. Morever the Gurudwara has the pleasant scenary and cool atmosphere which gives the pilgrims the physical pleasure in addition to the peace and solace of mind.

In addition to observance of daily ceremonies, special diwan (congregation) is held on every weekend (Sunday). The congregation is attended by large number of people of poonch. A gigantic function is held in the Gurudwara Sahib on the eve of Baisakhi every year. A large no of devotees from Jammu and Kashmir in particular and globe in general participate in the day-long function of the Basakhi-the Birth (establishment) day of Khalsa.

Swami Budha Amarnath Ji mandir  is situated in between the main belt of Pir Panchal Range at Rajpura Mandi which is 25 kms on the North East of Poonch city. This sacred place is located on the confluence of two gushing streams namely Nallah Gagri and Pulsta Nadi. This place is surrounded by snow bounded lofty peaks, thick belt of fur forests (in the Eastern side), lush green pastures and crystal clear streams. The climate of this attractive and charming spot is very pleasant and cool. At present Swami Budha Amarnath Ji mandir  is connected with motorable road and it is 244 kms. from Jammu. The original mandir has been constructed out of with one big stone. There are four doors  in the mandir on the northern, southern, eastern and western sides which indicates that the doors of this shrine are open for all the four varnas. There is a natural Shivlinga of white stone    ( chakmak)  inside  the mandir. Number of ancient idols collected there from nearby villages are also installed in the premises of the mandir   where were four holy springs near the mandir  in the past.At present the water of three springs has been diverted to fourth one which is on the southern side of the mandir. The water of these springs is considered holy from religious point of view. The pilgrims first take bath in this spring and then enter in the mandir for prayers.The main religious function held on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan which is known as MELA SWAMI BUDHA AMARNATH JI FESTIVAL.Three days before the mela, a religious

Mandir Swami Budha Amarnath Ji
[ Photograph courtesy : Mahrajkar Singh Ishar
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri]

Inside view of the Mandir
[ Photograph courtesy : Mahrajkar Singh Ishar
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri]

congregation is held at Dashnami Akhara Poonch for performing Havan and Pooja of Chhari Mubarak. In this congregation people from all walks of life come and pay tributes to the sacred mace after bhajan, kirtan and prevachans (speech) of the Mahant of the Akhara. The procession of Chhari Mubarak starts from Akhara.A guard  is offered to Chhari Mubarak at the gate of the Akhara. The Mahant Ji  is being carried in a palki by the devotees alongwith the sacred mace. Thousands of devotees and  Sadhus accompany the procession which leads towards Swami Budha Amarnath Ji mandir  at Mandi on foot. The first and main halt is at Chandak. While on way from Poonch to Mandi, a number of stalls are being erected for welcoming the Chhari Mubarak and yatries and free langer and other eatable items are provided to them. The stalls are being managed by muslims also and they welcome the yatries and Chhari Mubarak by providing them refreshment enroute Poonch to Mandi. The procession reaches at Rajpura on the same day in the afternoon where it is received by the district  administration , local people, sadhus and workers of the trust after guard of honour by the BSF contingents at the gate of Swami Budha Amarnath Ji mandir and   the chhari Mubarak is taken to the main shrine in between the traditional rituals followed by the Aarti of Lord Shiva.

Ramkund mandir is situated in tehsil Mandhar and is about 4 kms. from  Mendhar  village. This mandir has three springs namely Ram Kund, Sita Kund and Lakshman Kund. People take bath there on first bright half of chaitra.

Shri Dashnami Akhara Mandir:

This mandir is situated in southern part of  the poonch town. Swami Jawahar Giri Ji came to this place in the year 1760 A.D. and started his meditation. When the king of Poonch Rustam Khan came to know, he visited this place  paid his obeisance to Swami Ji and attached land to this place. Swami Ji   took his Smadhi in the year 1787 A.D , till that time he remained at this place delivering  sermons & solace to the people. His Smadhi is still there in the left side of  the Smadhi complex. After Swami Jawahar Giri Ji ,   Swami Shamaya Nand Ji, who was a Sanskrit scholar, sat on  this spiritual seat. He started Sanskrit school  in the complex. He took his Smadhi at Haridwar. After Swami Shamaya

Ramkund mandir
[ Photograph courtesy : Mahrajkar Singh Ishar
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri

Nand Ji,  Swami Shankarya Nand Giri Ji, followed by Swami Parma Nand Ji and Swami Satya Nand Saraswati lived on this place. Swami Satya Nand Saraswati Ji decorated this place and sent the message of religious importance of this place to every corner of the country. Presently, Swami Sataya Dev Ji is on the the seat of Shri Dashnami Akhara Mandir.

All the religions held this place in high esteem. Every year Chhari Mubarak (Holy Mace), on Raksha Bandan, is taken from this place to Swami Budha Amarnath Ji temple at Mandi (Poonch). A large number of people go along with Chhari Mubarak which is taken by Swami Ji of  this temple.  

Ziarat Chhote Shah Sahib
[ Photograph courtesy : Mahrajkar Singh Ishar
Everest Mountaineering Club, Rajouri ]

Three day annual Urs is celebrated at Sakhi Maidan about 5 kms from Mendhar in the memory of Muslims Saint Sakhi Peer Chhota Shah whose Ziarat is located there and  is held in high esteem by Hindus & Muslims alike in the area. Barely few hundred yards from Ziarat lies the ruins of ancient architecture popularly believed to be of the Pandvas.

Ziarat Pir Fazal Shah Sahib:

During December on 2nd day of Pooh a one day annual Urs is celebrated at the premises of the shrine of the muslim Saint Pir Fazal Shah at Gundi village in Surankote. Thousands of people from far and near villages gather at this place on Urs with traditional beating of drums and celebrate it.

Ziarat Sain Illahi Bakash Sahib:

The famous Ziarat of Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib is located in village Battalkote in Mandi block of Poonch district. This place is 37 kms.on the north of Poonch town and about 4 kms. from Loran. Battalkote is the last inhabited but most beautiful and attractive village and is located in between the southern hills of Peer Panchal range and   confluence of streams Nain Sukh and  Nandishool. The shrine is located in the heart of village on the sloppy land and grassy ridge. This sacred place is surrounded by snow capped peaks, thick belt of forests, beautiful maize fields and crystal clear streams. The scenic beauty and geography of this place resembles with Gulmarg of Kashmir.   A great Soofi Saint, Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib, had selected this place keeping in view its natural beauty.

The God-fearing Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib came to Battalkote around 1948 AD and passed rest of his life in this very place till his death. He was a soofi saint, preacher of brotherhood and worked for humanity. He spread the message of love, affection and brotherhood of Soofi-Ism among the public and inspired not only muslims but Hindus and Sikhs also. He was true soofi, remained unmarried and passed his life as a Darvesh. Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib died on 16th of May,1976. Four days before his death, he told his devotees that his last time has come. He identified the place for his grave and asked the devotees to keep his body open for three days for public before burial.

At present, the Urs of Sain Sahib is organised every year in the month of May. Thousands of people visit the shrine from Mandi, Poonch and outside state also irrespective of caste, creed and participate in the function. With active participation of non-muslims in the Urs, the programme has become the symbol of composite cultural heritage. Thousands of Hindus and Sikhs apart from Muslims participate in the function and this colourful programme becomes the identity of brotherhood, religious tolerance and love and affection for other communities.

Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib:

This Ziarat is located in village Guntrian near the line of actual control with Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The place is frequently visited  by devotees of different religious faiths who have firm belief that whatever is wished before the holy seat does never go unfulfilled. A road to link to this Ziarat has been constructed facilitating the pilgrims  to visit this place. Before its construction arduous climbing was required to reach the Ziarat.