Swami Budha Amarnath Yatra

A journey of spiritual solace

K D Maini

kdmainipoonch@gmail.com

Swami Budha Amarnath is one of the oldest shrines, built of one stone, with a number of legends, traditions and events. As per one legend, Lord Shiva had started narrating 'Amar Katha' to Mata Parvati Ji from this very place, which ended at Swami Budha Amarnath Ji of Kashmir. However, there is no reference to this shrine in Rajtarangini of Kalhana. As per the local myth, this temple had come under a big landslide and was embedded in the debris. Perhaps this was the reason that there is no reference to this temple in Rajtarangini. Chowdhary Dina Nath Rafiq writes in his book The Geography of Poonch that around the 16th century, a hermit from Kashmir Valley reached this place and started excavating the site of the present temple. After some time, the upper portion of the temple appeared. When Sultan Zain-ul-Ab-Din of Kashmir came to know about the excavation by the hermit, he directed his forces to help him. In this way, the old temple of Swami Budha Amarnath appeared. Since at that time there was no Hindu population in this area, the temple again remained unattended for centuries together.

Budha Amarnath Temple is situated in the main belt of the Pir Panchal Range at Rajpura Mandi, which is 23 kilometres northeast of Poonch city. This sacred place is located at the confluence of two gushing streams, namely Nallah Gagri and Pulsta Nadi. This place is surrounded by snowbound lofty peaks, a thick belt of fir forests on the eastern side, lush green pastures, and crystal-clear streams and nallahs. The climate of this attractive and charming spot is very pleasant and cool. At present, Swami Budha Amarnath Temple is connected by a motorable road.

The original temple has been constructed with one big stone. There are four doors in the temple 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 temple. A number of ancient idols collected from nearby villages are also installed in the premises of the temple. There were four holy springs near the temple in the past. At present, the water of three springs has been diverted to the fourth one, which is on the southern side of the temple. The water of these springs is considered holy from a religious point of view. The pilgrims first take a bath in this spring and then enter the temple for prayers.

Thousands of pilgrims with great devotion come to this place from various parts of the country every year. The main religious function is held on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, which is known as the Mela Swami Budha Amarnath Festival. Three days before the Mela, a religious congregation is held at Dashnami Akhara Poonch for Havan and Pooja of Charri Mubarakh. In this congregation, people from all walks of life come and pay tributes to the sacred mace. After Bhajan, Kirtan and Pravachans (speeches) of the Mahant of the Akhara, the procession of Charri Mubarakh starts from the Akhara amidst the chanting of Bhajans and religious slogans. A guard of honour by police contingents is given to Charri Mubarakh at the gate of the Akhara. Thousands of devotees and Sadhus accompany the procession, which proceeds towards Swami Budha Amarnath on foot. The procession reaches Rajpura on the same day in the afternoon, where it is received by the local people, Sadhus and workers of the Trust. After a guard of honour by the contingents at the gate of Swami Budha Amarnath, the Charri Mubarakh is taken to the main shrine amidst traditional rituals, followed by the Aarti of Lord Shiva.

When Dogra Raja Gulab Singh established his rule in J&K in 1846, Poonch became the principality of Dogra Rajas Moti Singh, Baldev Singh, Sukhdev Singh and Jagat Dev Singh from 1852 to 1939. During this very period, when Moti Singh, the nephew of Maharaja Gulab Singh, became the Raja of Poonch principality in 1852, he came to know about an unattended temple at Mandi. The Raja visited Mandi and decided to restore the temple and develop this area. The Raja got a guest house constructed near this temple, renovated the shrine, posted a Pujari, renamed the temple area as Rajpura and started shifting his family and staff every year during the summer season to this place. Therefore, with the appearance of the Raja of Poonch in Rajpura, hustle and bustle started. During this very period, the glory and glamour of Swami Budha Amarnath Temple was revived.

After some time, the Yatra of Charri Mubarakh started from Akhara Tetrinote (now in POK, 12 km south of Poonch) to Swami Budha Amarnath. Later, when the present Dashnami Akhara Poonch had become the centre of Hindu religion and Swami Ji of the Akhara got the status of Raj Guru of Poonch Darbar, the Charri Mubarakh Yatra was also shifted from Tetrinote to Dashnami Akhara Poonch. Presently, every year, the Charri Mubarakh Yatra starts from Dashnami Akhara Poonch towards Swami Budha Amarnath on the eve of the Raksha Bandhan festival. While the all-India-level Yatra of Swami Budha Amarnath starts from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, and after visiting Swami Budha Amarnath, the Yatris also visit Shiv Khori Temple and Mata Vaishno Devi.

Neshu Gupta, President, Bajrang Dal Poonch, said that this year the all-India-level Yatra of Swami Budha Amarnath Mandi started from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu, on 17th August at 6:00 AM and reached Kamashwar Temple, Akhnoor, where they were received by the civil society of Akhnoor after visiting the temple. Then the Yatra left for Sunderbani and, after breakfast, moved towards Rajouri, where the Yatra was received by VHP and Bajrang Dal at Army Ground, Rajouri. After lunch, the Yatra moved towards BG and, after having light refreshments, proceed towards Dundak Temple, Surankote, and then left for Poonch. In Poonch town, the Yatra was given a warm welcome by the administration, prominent personalities from all communities and the general public at College Ground, Poonch. Elaborate arrangements for the stay of Yatris have already been finalized by the management committee in collaboration with the District Administration.

On 18th August morning, the Yatris moved from Poonch towards Swami Budha Amarnath Temple, Mandi, where they will be received by the management committee and citizens of Mandi. After having a bath in the holy water of the temple spring, they will have Darshan of Baba Chattani and participate in Bhajan, Kirtan and Pravachans. Then the Yatris shall have breakfast, enjoy the scenic beauty of Mandi, purchase local fruits and then leave for Sunderbani for their onward journey to Shiv Khori and Mata Vaishno Devi Shrines. The all-India Yatra of Swami Budha Amarnath shall continue up to 25th August.

Master Khaterpal, President, Sanatan Dharam Sabha Poonch, said that on 26th August, after Bhajan, Kirtan and Pravachans of Swami Ji of Dashnami Akhara Poonch, the Charri Mubarakh Yatra shall start moving towards Swami Budha Amarnath, Mandi, at about 9:30 AM in a big procession, in which thousands of devotees from Poonch town, Mendhar, Surankote, Rajouri and Jammu shall participate in the Yatra with the chanting of Bhajans and Kirtan. During this procession, light refreshment stalls at Qazi Mohra, near Nangali Sahib, Dingla, Chandak, Timbbra and Sakeloo shall serve the Yatris.

Near Mandi town, the Yatris shall be received by the local Muslims, who normally offer soft drinks and dry fruits. Then the Charri Mubarakh Yatris shall move towards Swami Budha Amarnath Temple, where the temple management committee and local administration, apart from Army personnel, shall receive the Charri Mubarakh procession. Proper arrangements for Yatris have been made at the temple complex, TRC building and tented colonies. On 27th August, the Swami Budha Amarnath Mela shall start, which shall continue on 28th August on the occasion of the Raksha Bandhan Mela. On 29th August, the Swami Budha Amarnath Mela shall conclude.