Rajinder Singh Rana
Laden with immense beauty and high spirituality,Jammu and Kashmir is truly a paradise for thepilgrims and abode to the Gods and Goddesses wor-shipped in the shrines, caves or hill spots.
These holy symbols have left profound impact of spiritual exaltation on theminds of pilgrims who stride through an exceedingly and enthralling routesto meet their shinning glory and divinity. It is only due to their supremesacredness and reverence, that sages and rishis have fostered their spiritualpursuits there. Much more is the people’s devotion and firm faith towardsthem which makes them organize fairs or festivals to keep alive their piousglory and to attract lakhs of tourists.
Melas at religious places serve the purpose of breaking the monotony inlife and bring all people under one ambit irrespective of their caste, creed andreligion. People of different communities interact with one another andstrengthen the bond of brotherhood and amity. They are also great samplesof the rich cultural diversity and deep rooted traditional value system of theregion. The religious fairs in our State are organized with great festive fer-vour.
Shiv Khori fair is locally called Maha Shivratri mela. The solemn event isnotable for focus, fasting, social harmony, tantric worship etc. On this occa-sion one witnesses huge congregations from various parts of the state. As onereaches at main location of shivling, the scene is tinged with awe and venera-tion and for which a spiritual feeling is developed on looking over the sanc-tum sanctorum. Pilgrims are also found there performing mediation or yogicexercises. On one side two more caves are seen with rocky designs and natu-ral signs. No one dares to enter into them. It is said that Maa Parvati passedthrough one of the two towards surg lok (heaven) and other is linked with theholy devtas.
Usually, Maha Shivratri mela at Shiv Khori is held in the month ofFebruary or March and in this year, the revered function is being organizedfrom 23rd to 25th February. The locals and pilgrims feel a sense of pride andhigh spirituality while participating in such events along with their familymembers and relatives.
The Mela begins with Shiv Parvati Jhanki traditionally known as ShivBarat taken out from Ransoo Bazar and culminates at Shiv darbar at theentrance of cave. The Jhanki appears very sacred and devotional for visi-tors. The local participants accompanying the baraat appear in uniquedress. Musical instruments like Band baja becomes other sign of attrac-tion when some followers dance to the tune of musical instruments. Thewhole journey appears pleasing to the pilgrims accompanying ShivBaraat.
The Jhanki is decorated in a traditional way that appears more appealingto the pilgrims. Sounds of the bhajans (devotional songs) on the way touchesheart having very soothing taste which gives spiritual bondage and relaxationto mind. The moment creates such a scene for the strangers who vow to visitthere again. The three day festival is celebrated like marriage anniversary ofLord Shiva and Maa Parvati.
The main function is held at Ransoo, base camp of Shiv Khori. From thisplace to the main cave one has to go 3.5 km on foot. Besides, the service ofpony and palky can also be hired. Heavy rush is seen on the track during threedays festival. Over 13 lakhs yatra has been recorded by the board in previousyear.
Whole bazaar at Ransoo and track towards cave is decorated well inadvance to welcome and give pleasant experience to the pilgrims apart fromroutine sanitation and cleanliness being maintained with the assistance ofnumerous workers. Parsad shops and eatable points remain open and fooditems are sold on very genuine rates. The civil and police authorities worktogether to assist the tourists at every locations. Different types of committeesalso work in close coordination for smooth organization of the festival.Sounds of sacred mantras “Om Namo Shivaya”, Har Har Bole”, Jai Bole” etcare recited by pilgrims.
From Ransoo to main cave, visitors indeed view natural and unusualscenes appearing very rare of their kind. First is the Dhood Ganga, a waterstream originating from place just below the main cave. While moving
towards caveone has to crossthe stream manytime whose con-finement withina beds andbanks exult thestrangers. Morerejoicing and eyecatching is thebeauty of forestcover elevatingupwards fromboth side offlowing stream.Much more isthe scenic viewof the smallmountains atupper reachesguarding thetrack and cave
like a wall.Besides, temples of Gods or Goddesses at different locations also fill our heartwith divinity and holy taste.
Inside the cave the pilgrims enjoy very different experience. The journeyinside the cave begins as well as ends in open space. Soon after entering thecave, pigeons are seen. At a short distance on the right side, darshan of Maa
Parvati Rasoi (kitchen) takes one to very old time. After this, whole journey isadventurous as one has to pass through very narrow passage. Initially we ahave to walk straight then move down and again walk upwards just like ourtravelling from Katali, location of Kalika Mandir to Ranoo and then to cave.New cave which was drilled some time back is very comfortable to enter andreturn for all types of pilgrims.
On this occasion, a the cultural programme of devotional songs is organ-ized by Tourism and Information Departments which adds more eleganceand grace to the fair. It is usually organized at Base camp of the Shrine. Thepassersby and visitors cannot avoid sitting in this programme. Usually, artistsare called from Jammu but local artists of the area are also invited to presenttheir songs and dance items. All this enthralls the audience and adds to thevibrancy and colorfulness of the atmosphere.
On the last day, a wrestling competition (dangal) is organized in whichwrestlers from within or outside state take part. The locals and tourists enjoythe competition. The traditional dangal marks the successful completion ofthe festival.
To reach Shiv Khori, there are two roots; one is from Jammu to Ransoo viaAkhnoor and other is via Katra. The distance between Jammu and holy shrineis approximately 140 km and from Katra is only 80 km. Apart from taxies andmini-bus service, online booking facility is also available for Shiv Khori. Boththe roots are comfortable. Visiting Shiv Khori Mela gives a pleasant and mem-orable experience to the visitors. The beauty of the villages adjoining theshrine, is beyond appreciation. A board has also been constituted for the over-all management and further development of the Shrine. Many developmentinitiatives have been taken for the tourists. Recently, an agreement has alsobeen signed between Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board (SSKSB) and TV channelMH1 to telecast live aarti.
(The author is serving as District Information Officer Reasi/Ramban)
Mahan Gurmat Samagam is being organizedby Sant Pura Danna Charitable Trust on theoccasion of 350th Parkash Ustav of Sri GuruGobind Singh Sahib. Dr Jasbir Singh Rana givesa historical background of Dera Sant Pura Dana.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founded the most unique and modern religioncalled Sikhism. Being latest religion on the world scene, ten Sikh Gurusnurtured it. Its teachings are enshrined in the Shri Guru Granth Sahib,which is revered as the Guru Eternal. It preaches the oneness of God anduniversal brotherhood of man.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji visited Jammu & Kashmir during his third Udasi(itinary) between 1515-1517 CE. Then Guru Hargobind Sahib visited theValley in 1620 CE. Guru Har Rai Sahib also visited Valley in 1660 CE.During the time of Guru Amardass Ji and Guru Arjan Sahib some mis-sionaries came to this land for dissemination of Sikhism. Among theprominents were Bhai Madhu Sodhi, Bhai Garhia, Bhai Sewa Das, BhaiKatu Shah, Bhai Makhan Shah Lubana, Bhai Birm Shah etc. GuruGobind Singh Ji visited only Jammu city on 20th April 1692 CE on theinvitation of a well-wisher and friend Rajput Raja Gaja Singh. GuruSahib blessed Raja Gaja Singh and his younger brother Jaswant Singhwith a turban and one steel lance as a token of love. Most of the histori-cal Gurdwaras are founded at different pockets of the state sanctified bythe visits of Gurus.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji has sent some missionaries to Poonch andKashmir for the propagation of Sikhism. Guru Ji sent Bhai AmolakSingh, Pharu Singh and Punjab Singh. In this way Amritdhari Sikhs wereseen in these pockets during the eighteenth century. Bhai Pharu Singhand Bhai Punjab Singh were present at Anandpur Sahib at the time ofKhalsa Panth's creation in 1699 CE.
From earlier times, Sant Deras served the interests of the microscop-ic Sikh community from time to time. Most of these deras adopted RahitMaryada, which is made up of techniques and tools to help maintain theconsciousness of the Sikhs. It is simply a Code of Conduct for living inaccordance with principles of the Sikh religion. These deras underwentsubstantial changes and emerged torch bearers for the community andremoved unethical or immoral practices existing during early days. Theypropagate reverence for one Almighty, the Supreme Creator.
Most prominent among these deras are Shiromani Dera NangaliSahib Poonch, Dera Sant Pura Danna, Dera Guffa Muzaffarabad andDera Baba Banda Singh, Bahadur Reasi etc. After Bhai Punjab Singh, theother succesors were (Sant Bhai) Rocha Singh, Mela Singh Mana Singh,
Mangal Singh, Rattan Singh, Avtar Singh, Mohar Singh, Mangal SinghSasan, Bachatter Singh. In 1991, Mahant Manjit Singh Ji became the suc-cessor of the seat.
Dera Santpura Danna was originally established in village Danna(Muzaffarabad) due to the tireless efforts of Sant Daya Singh, a discipleof Sant Punjab Singh. According to the Panth Prakash, Bhai PunjabSingh received Khande -de-pahul from the august hands of Guru GobindSingh Ji.
Other Successors of this Dera were Sant Gurmukh Singh, SantKhushal Singh, Sant Gurdit Singh and Sant Gurbaksh Singh. Historythrows a flood of light on existing social customs and evil practices inthose times engulfed with false rituals etc. The life was made miserableby the social norms. They ask them to shun these evil practices. For this,they visited remote, farflung areas and steep terrains packed with snowcontacted community members personally and influenced them withreligious discourses. Selfless and commendable contribution of SantGurbux Singh during 1947 and after is well known to the State people.According to Revenue Records and Panda Vihes of Muttan (Kashmir),the genealogical table of Sant Pura Danna is as
Now-a-days Sant Tejwant Singh, a youngman well versed with Sikhethos, religion, philosophy and history heads the dera. He is intelligent,energetic and moulded in spiritual pursuits. In the early days villageMarh was its centre of activities but in 1977 Havaldar S Hira Singh of
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazineA gripping war......PPaaggee 44 Benefits of succession......PPaaggee 33
DERA SANTPURA DANNA
Shivratri Mela at Shiv Khori
Shiv Khori fair is locallycalled Maha Shivratri
mela. The solemn eventis notable also for
fasting, social harmony,tantric worship etc.
Kacheli denoted some land for the Gurdwara in Nanak Nagar Jammu. Now-a-days asplendid Gurudwara, a well equipped langar hall, a dispensary, a school etc are func-tioning well. In the present conext, the main thrust of these deras should be to removesuperstitions, ignorance and empty rituals from the community and build on the valuesof hardwork, service of humanity, spirituality and charity. The devotion and laboriousefforts of all these deras can neither be ignored nor minimized.
