Potential of Pilgrimage in J&K: An Analysis of Rajouri and Poonch Districts

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1 Year: 2014; Volume: 1; Issue: 1 Article ID: IJESR14 07; Pages: 1-8 Advances in Engineering & Scientific Research Research Article Potential of Pilgrimage in J&K: An Analysis of Rajouri and Poonch Districts Mohammad Ashfaq & Shazia Parveen Department of Geography University of Jammu, Jammu Correspondence should be addressed to Mohammad Ashfaq Received 9 Obtober 2014; Accepted 20 October 2014; Published 29 October 2014 Copyright: 2014 Mohammad Ashfaq et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Abstract Pilgrimage is one of the vital categories of tourism which endow with undying spiritual peace of mind for one and all, who believe on any religious conviction. Pilgrimage, whether spiritual or secular, is practicing renaissance around the globe. This embraces the objectives for pilgrimage, performance during the pilgrimage and the affect of tourism on it. The study show that the pilgrims ranged widely from very religious conventional pilgrims, through traditional Pilgrim tourists to secular tourists. The features of present-day pilgrims can be represented on a scale that may be described as secular versus spiritual, and tourism versus pilgrimage. This typology also offers a model for the development of the pilgrimage sites. The findings highlight the increasing convergence of old-fashioned pilgrimage and current tourism, which have much in familiar. Moreover, this research emphasizes the expanding nexus of holy sites, society, politics, ideology, and culture. This article explains and supports the idea that the economic impacts of religious tourism should not be neglected or underestimated, although religious institutions have traditionally attempted to downplay this in the past. Additionally, the paper argues that religion and tourism have much in common. In the modern world it is hard to ignore the feeling that in most places of pilgrimage the profane impacts of tourism are just as important if not more so than the religious. This manuscript lends theoretical support to this argument. Keywords: pilgrimage, economic impacts, religious tourism. Introduction Pilgrimage Tourism consists of the activities undertaken during the journey for the place of residence or place of work for the spiritual purposes of certain holy destinations and the facilities that cater the needs of pilgrim. Pilgrimage has been important social activities of human beings since time immemorial 4.The urge to explore new holy shrines/ places within one s own country or outside and seek a change of environment has been experienced from the ancient times.

2 Pilgrimage tourism is one of the most important categories of tourism industry in Jammu and Kashmir. Pilgrimage is the true medium for a developing the state s economy. The value added effect of pilgrimage tourism is increasing day by day 6. Pilgrimage tourism generates employment on large scale for both skilled and unskilled people. Different industry likes hotels and catering; travel agency, transport including airlines got benefited a lot from this sector. Pilgrimage tourism is an engine for the promotion of national integration, foreign exchange, and cultural swap at a large scale. Jammu and Kashmir is a world famous destination for tourist. The state is bestowed with the natural and unique cultural gifts like unmatched beauty of snow clad mountains peaks; lash green meadows, gushing streams, crystal clear fresh water lakes, Mughal gardens, magnificent Chinar trees, large valleys, orchids, places of religious importance, monuments, forts and unique cultural and Kashmiri Language 2.The state has three geographical divisions i.e Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and each have a unique natural and cultural identity. These regions are not equally developed in respect of pilgrimage tourism; only the Kashmir valley, Jammu district and few pocket of Ladakh region are developed for pilgrimage tourism and still large potential for the exploration of pilgrimage tourism in different parts of the states. Objectives Methodology 1. To identify and analyze pilgrimage tourism potential of each holy place of Poonch and Rajouri districts. 2. To identify the pilgrim tourist circuit for local as well as non local pilgrims. 3. To identify the hindrance in the development of pilgrimage tourism. The research is based on both primary and secondary data. The primary data collected through the field work and secondary data gathered from different published and unpublished work of government and private departments and also from different sources of internet. Potential of Pilgrimage Tourism in Poonch and Rajouri Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu and Kashmir, endowed with natural scenic splendour, is dotted with numerous sacred shrines/places which are held in high esteem by the people belonging to all faiths and communities. These sacred places are, in fact, symbol of human unity and brotherhood. For years together, Poonch and Rajouri have presented glorious example of Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity 8. The potential of pilgrimage tourism in this region not explored till date. Some of the important sacred places/ shrines in these districts can fetch large number of pilgrims throughout the year from different part of the state as well as the country. Poonch and Rajouri is a land of Sufis and Saints. It is a center of religious visitors belonging to dissimilar beliefs, even from outside the state 1. The famous sacred places for all faiths comprise: Zairat Sain Fakar Din Saib RA The holy shrine of sain Fakar Din RA is located in the border village Dagwar. It is very beautiful village having a very great potential of Pilgrimage tourism and Boarder tourism. This holy shrine is a great symbol of humanity for all religions since time immemorial. Ziarat Sain Miran Sahib RA This Ziarat is located in the village Guntrian of teshil Havelli near the LOC. The people of the different religious faiths pay their obedience throughout the year and there is a provision of LANGER (free meal) for all the pilgrims round the clock 7. Ziarat Sain Illahi Bakhsh Sahib RA The well-known shrine of Sain Illahi Bakhsh RA is located in the village Battalkote in Mandi at a distance of 37kms from Poonch city 10.This shrine place is surrounded by lofty mountain peaks, lush green deodar forests, attractive maize fields and beautiful graceful streams. Saint, Illahi Bakhsh, had chosen this place keeping in the view its natural beauty. An Urs is organised in his memory every year in the month of May. People from all faiths pay their obedience with great heat to this place in large numbers from every nook and corner of the state of Jammu and Kashmir 2

3 Ziarat Chhote Shah Sahib RA The holy shrine of Chhote Shah RA is situated at Sakhi Maidan about 5 kms from Mendhar Town. The remnants of ancient architecture prevalently supposed to be of the Pandvas lie at a distance of few minutes 10. Ziarat Peer Fazal Shah Sahib RA This Shrine is located at Fazalabad village in the valley of Surankote. It is also a frequently visited shrine. In the month of January every year celebrate an Urs with great zeal 3. Ziarat Peer Rattan Shah RA It is situated on the boundary of Poonch and Rajouri Districts at an altitude of about 6ooo feet. It is frequently visited by local pilgrims all the year around. Budha Amarnath Budha Amarnath temple is located in Mandi at a distance of 25 kms9 from Poonch city near the confluence of Gagri and Pulsta streams. The temple is situated in the middle of snow covered mountain peaks, lush green forests and pastures and crystal clear streams. The original temple was constructed with one stone. There are four doors on each side indicating that the shrine is open to all the four Varnas. There is a natural Shiv linga of white stone (chakmak) inside the temple. There were four holy springs near the temple in the past. At present three springs has been diverted to the southern side of the temple. The pilgrims first take a bath in the spring before entering the temple. On the eve of Raksha Bandhan MELA SWAMI BUDHA AMARNATH JI FESTIVAL is celebrated. Three days before the eve, a religious gathering is held at Dashnami Akhara Poonch for performing Havan and Pooja of Chhari Mubarak. The procession of Chhari 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 disciples. Thousands of devotees accompany the procession which leads towards Budha Amarnath temple on foot. The chhari is taken to the main shrine in between the traditional rituals followed by the Aarti of Lord Shiva. Thousands of visitors accompany the procession from all over India. 3 Ramkund Temple Ramkund temple is situated in Tehsil Mendhar. It has three springs namely Ram Kund, Sita Kund and Lakshman Kund. Pilgrims take a bath there on first bright half of chaitra (March)10. Shri Dashnami Akhara Temple It is located in southern part of the Poonch city. Saint Jawahar Giri came to this place in the year 1760 and started his meditation. The Saint took his Samadhi in His Samadhi is still there on the left side of the Samadhi complex. After Swami Jawahar Giri, Swami Shamaya Nand, who was a Sanskrit scholar, sat on this religious seat. After Swami Shamaya Nand, Swami Shankarya Nand Giri followed by Swami Parma Nand Ji and Swami Satya Nand Saraswati had this position. Swami Satya Nand Saraswati decorated this place and sent the message of religious significance of this place throughout India. Presently, Swami Vishavatma Nand Saraswati is on the seat of the temple. Every year Chhari is taken from this place to Budha Amarnath temple. Gurudwara Nangali Sahib The gurudwara Nagali Sahib was established by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji (Fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh Ji) in the It is situated in the midst of charming hills on the banks of Drungali Nallah at a distance of about 6kms from Poonch city. It is one of the oldest Shrines of the Sikhs in Northern India. Large number of devotees visits this shrine from all over the Country every year. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited Gurudwara Nangali Sahib in He attached an estate with the Gurudwara sahib. He again attached four villages to the Gurudwara in This Gurudwara has remained a focus of the Sikhism in the state. Round the clock Langar (community kitchen) and rest house facility is provided to the pilgrims without considering their religion, caste and creed etc. On every Sundays a large congregation is held. A huge function is held in the Gurudwara Sahib on the eve of Baisakhi every year 3.

4 Ziarat Syed Ghulam Shah Badshah ra Ziarat Sayed Ghulam Shah Badshah RA properly known as Shahdara Sharif is located in the Village Shahdara, about 35 kilometres from Rajouri town. The shrine is bounded by beautiful lofty mountain peaks, luxuriant forests, sea green pastures and eye catching springs. Village Shahdara in ancient times was known by different names like Simha Dwara, Shindhara etc. In 1765 AD, a Muslim Saint Syed Ghulam Shah Badshah arrived here, and started preaching the message of love and humanity. The village has thus been named after his name 3. People of all faiths and ideologies in lacs pay their hearty obedience throughout the year. Community kitchen (Langar) provides food and tea to lacs of people regularly round the clock. Shrine complex has the capacity to accommodate approximately 10, 000 people. And the same number can offer Prayers in Jamia Masjid Shahdara Shrief. The annual congregation (Urs) of Ghulam Shah Badshah is celebrated on 10th of Muharram every year. Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi Bangla Sahib, Rajouri Gurudwara Chhati Padshahi Rajouri has its own significance owing to its history. It has been constructed in the memory of 6th Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji ( AD) who stayed at this place in 1616 AD 11 while he was on the way to Kashmir along with Mughal Emperor Jahangir. As per the legend, once Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji Maharaj had a dream that Magi Bhag Wanti in Kashmir had prepared a Cloak (Cholla) for him and she was praying to God to meet (darshan) of Guru Ji so that she could present it. As she was quite old, she was not in a position to visit Punjab and fulfill her desire. Therefore, Guru Ji decided to visit Kashmir and accept the present from her and to advocate Sikhism in the mountainous belt of Pir Panjal and Kashmir Valley. 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. After the approval of blue print by the Sangat, the construction was started in The masons 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 building of Gurudwara has 15 rooms and a large Diwan Hall. A Pathshalla comprising of 8 rooms is being 4 constructed and a school namely "Shri Hargobind Sahib Ji Institute of Education" has been running from April, The Gurudwara Chatti Padshahi is having great importance for not only Sikhs but Hindus too visit the Gurudwara daily. Congregations are organized on Sundays. However the Birthday of Guru Hargobind Ji is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal both by Sikhs and Hindus every year. Dera Baba Beeram Shah During 17th Century, the 6th Guru of Sikhs had sent number of Saints from Punjab towards this region for preaching of Sikhism. Baba Beeram Shah Dutt was one among them. He belonged to Sialkote (Pakistan). He established his Dera at Jhangar and kept visiting Nowshera, Dharamsal, Rajouri and Poonch and NWFP 12. His Dera is located on a beautiful hillock. A Gurudwara and a pilgrim house have also been constructed now. The place is visited daily by large number of his followers. The main congregation is organized annually on the next Sunday of each Baisakhi. Hindus and Sikhs from all over Poonch and Rajouri visit the place in large numbers to take part in the congregation. Mangla Mata Mangla Mata Dev Asthan is located near village Bhawani in Nowshera Tehsil of District Rajouri. Originally, it was located in Hamirpur after the name of Mangla Mai ( Pakistan) 11. A dam has been constructed by Pakistan after her name under the name of Mangla Dam. This remained an unknown place till The legend says when the construction of Mangla Dam in Hamirpur was started and the Dev Asthan of Mangla Mai came under the dam, without delay after that, a Brahmin of Bhawani area, Pandit Nihal Chand had a dream in which Mangla Mata had given him darshan and asked that I have shifted my Asthan from Hamirpur to the forests of Bhawani and desired for exploring. Not only this, Mangla Mai also told the exact location to the Brahmin. After some days, the Brahmin came to this place and found the Pindies (a shape of Devta made by natural stone) of Mangla Mai in the cave. After performing the havans and other rituals, he established an Asthan of Mangla Mai at this very place and people started coming for darshan. With time several other myths have also been associated with the temple. Whatever are the facts, but it is a beautiful cave. People visit the site every day in

5 good numbers. Besides these gatherings, two important congregations on a large scale are organized annually during the days of Navratras and in the months of April and September. Apart from main cave, there are two other caves also namely Vishnu Cave and Naina Mata Cave. The pindies of Naina Mata are also installed in the cave. Every month on the night of full moon, the devotees from the adjacent neighbourhood come for Jagrata (nightly prayers of Hindus) and remain engaged in bhajan and kirtan for the whole night. A Yatri Nivas has also been constructed apart from the link road which leads towards the Asthan. Power and water supply is available at site. Pilgrims cook their meals in the Langar. The Asthan is placed in a beautiful forest area. Peer Badesar Peer Badesar temple was constructed by the King Kanishka in 142 in the memory of Veer Vadweshavar, the Son Shiva the god of Hindus. The temple is the finest example of Hindu architecture of the antiquity. This Temple is located in Veer Vadweshavar village, at a distance of 60 kilometres from Rajouri city 11. It is situated near the present Indo-Pak border. The temple named after Veer Vadweshavar, is located on a peak at an altitude of around 5000 feet. Some villages of the Pakistan Administered Kashmir can be seen is quite clearly from here. Ziarat Sain Ganji Sahib ra The shrine of Saint Ganji Sahib Qadri RA located at a distance 10 kilometres, from Rajouri city, overlooking Darhal Nullah, is a centre of spirituality for a number of pilgrims all the year 7. An annual congregation (Urs) is held in the first week of October every year where people of different faiths come in large numbers. The Shrine is regarded as a symbol of clarity, secularism and tolerance. Born and brought up at Fatehpur, Rajouri, the Saint was a spiritualist who developed into a legend in his own life time. He dedicated all his life for the betterment of human kind. He propagated love, peace and harmony throughout his life. Panj Peer ra (Five Saints) The Holy Shrine of Panj Peer RA is situated at a distance of few kilometres from Rajouri town toward the Jammu 11. It is named after the five saints, who were all brothers and sisters to each 5 other. They had from Punjab in the past. A large number of people visit the shrine round the year. Ziarat Baba Sakhi Sultan ra Ziarat of Baba Sakhi Sultan RA is situated in the central part of Rajouri city 11. Baba Sakhi Sultan is known for his message of peace, harmony and tolerance. People of all religions visit the shrine regularly. Ziarat Of Qutab Shah ra The holy shrine of saint Qutab Shah in Rajouri is popular by the name of Naogazi Ziarat. It is situated at Dhanidhar. Naogazi means nine yards long. The grave of the saint is believed to be of 9 yards and hence the name, Naogazi Ziarat 11. Chani Prat Temple It is located at a distance of around10 kilometres from Sunderbani at a remote place near the village Chani Prat. It is believed to have been constructed during the time of Maharaja Gulab Singh, through the efforts of a Saint who had unceremoniously visited the place as a matter of custom wandering 7. After spending some time, he thought of building a temple at this place. The architecture and of the temple is only one of its kind. Small paintings on the walls portray different episodes of the epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. An impressive Yagya is organised here, in the month of June. Manma Mata Temple Shrine of Manma Mata is at a distance of 6 kilometres from Kalakote. There is a cave at the site apart from a temple. It is believed that Shiva had gone to Kashmir passing through this cave. Manma Mata Devi had come to this place, later on to meditate. Every year, a congregation is organised on the eve of Navratras 11. Ziarat Sain Walidad ra The Shrine of Sain Walidad RA is located in the village Bhathian in Thannamandi. Ziarat Rattan Peer ra The Ziarat at Rattan Peer also a prominent shrine and receives grand admiration by people of different communities. It is situated on the border of Rajouri and Poonch districts 10.

6 Shrine of Manma Mata 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 11. There is a cave at site and legend goes that Lord Shiva had gone to Kashmir via this cave. Later on, Manma Mata Devil had come to this place and meditated for several years in the cave. There are many other shrines dotted across the Poonch- Rajouri Region which have stood as beacon lights of peace and humanism for centuries having deep impact of Sufism and saints on social, religious and cultural life of the people. All the great mystic saints and rishis preached the eternal message of universal humanism, compassion and peace. These spiritually uplifted souls carved out special place in the hearts of innumerable followers not only in Poonch and Rajouri of Jammu and Kashmir State but even across the country. Pilgrim Tourist Circuit Tourist Circuit is defined as a route on which at least three major tourist destinations are located such that none of these are in the same town, village or city. At the same time they are not separated by a long distance. It should have well defined entry and exit points. A tourist who enters at the entry point should get motivated to visit all the places identified on the circuit. The objective of having a tourist circuit is to increase the total number of visits to all the destinations on the circuit on the one hand and to provide to the tourist the attractions of all the destinations located on the circuit 5. In the study region a great potential of pilgrimage tourist circuit: 1. Jammu- Rajouri- Poonch Pilgrimage Tourist circuit. This tourist circuit may cater the need of all faith of pilgrims who wish to pay their obedience at the sacred places. 2. Vashino Devi, Amarnath, Budha Amarnath, Pilgrim Tourist circuit. This circuit starts from Jammu- Ananatnagvia Mughal Road Amarnath Poonch- Rajouri-Jammu. The places include in the above tourist circuit is highly famous 6 pilgrimage center which attract large number of tourist from local as well as non local level. Hindrance in The Development Of Pilgrimage Tourism There are numerous factors which are responsible that hampering the development of pilgrimage tourism in the study region like: Deprived road connectivity and transportation facilities Poor maintenance of sacred places/shrines. Lack of proper care and administration of the potential pilgrim destinations. Lack of promotion strategies. Poor basic hygienic amenities at halting points Poor response of Government in the development of infrastructure at the holy destinations. Lake of proper publicity. Conclusion Suggestion Improving transportation facilities by providing smooth and better roads and goods flow of busses and taxes services. Development of Infrastructure through Public investment. Enhancing Private investment by providing incentives. To established board and cooperation for better administration and management of the pilgrimage centers at the study area. Proper publicity at local and national level. To organized religious events like Mela, and other festivals to attract the pilgrims. The study region bestowed with large number of natural gifts among them the holy shrines/places of different faith played a very vital role from time immemorial. The region is a county of peace only

7 because of the composite culture and religious heritage. As for as tourism map of Jammu and Kashmir is concerned the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri does not find any mention. The plight of this untraced tourist destination can be attributed to both natural as well as manmade reasons. The natural reason includes the rouged and hilly terrain of Pir Panjal Himalayas along which the region is located. This location generally hampers the accessibility and connectivity in the region. The man made factor largely include the government policy by which region can be better represented on the tourist map of the state by developing good road connectivity and other required infrastructure to better facilitate the visitor willing to visit this virgin tourist landscape. These requirements can only be fulfilled if government takes very honest and earnest step to develop the proposed tourist circuit in the above study, so that this region can be developed as potential pilgrimage destination for local as well as national and international tourists. References 1. Andrew (2010), Surankote Valley in Jammu and Kashmir,blogspot. 2. Ahmad, l. (2007) Kashmir Heritage Tourism. Gulshan Books, Srinagar Kashmir. 3. Ashfaq M. (2012) Pilgrimage Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir LAP Germany. 4. Bhat Z. A (2010): Tourism industry and pilgrimage in Jammu and Kashmir: Prospects and challenge International Monthly Refereed Journal of Research In Management & Technology- Volume II, June Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (2012) Identification of Tourism Circuits across India a. Interim Report Jammu & Kashmir. Parliament New Delhi Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India, New Delhi: 20 Years Perspective Plan for sustainable development of Tourism in J&K. 7. Mujahid Ul Islam, (2014) The Paradise Unseen An Appraisal of Potential for Ecotourism in Poonch-Rajouri Region Pratima Prakashan, Gurudwara Road, Laxmi Nagar, Delhi Religion and expressive culture - Pahari Asia/Pahari-Religion-and-Expressive- Culture.html#ixzz1rA5uCxe Ji-Mandir-Poonch-Sightseeing html 10. www www