Baba Chamliyal Shrine

Baba Chamliyal Shrine

The Baba Chamliyal shrine, which is tucked away in a beautiful part of Samba, is a monument to faith and history. It is 42 km away from Jammu and lies in the Ramgarh sector of Samba district. Rich in mythology, the shrine is thought to be the home of a saintly figure renowned for his healing abilities and miracles. With centuries of history behind it, the shrine is rich in historical significance. According to legend, Baba Dalip Singh Manhas popularly known as Baba Chamliyal, used to meditate in this serene area, leaving a trail of devotion and spirituality in his wake. Thousands of pilgrims swarm the shrine to honour this venerated person and ask for blessings related to good health, wealth, and wellbeing. What makes this place more engrossing is the Baba Chamliyal Mela, which is over 320 years old and is organised annually by the district administration of Samba and BSF. People from Indo- Pak borders participate in this mela. The armed forces from Pak always offer a ‘chaddar’ at the dargah and take the ‘Shakkar’ and ‘Sharbat’ from the dargah. ‘Shakkar’ here is the pious ‘Soil’ and ‘Sharbat’ is ‘Sweet Water’. The soil of this land is believed to heal skin ailments. In order to receive these ‘Shakkar’ and ‘Sharbat’, people of Pakistan wait at the Saidanwali village on the Pakistan side of the Zero Line. The Baba Chamliyal shrine is significant not only religiously but culturally as well. This place hosts an annual fair that is a lively celebration of faith and custom that draws crowds of devoted followers as well as inquisitive outsiders. A joyful and festive atmosphere is created by the sounds of devotional music and the scent of incense filling the air.