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Indian and Pakistan border forces celebrate Chamliyal Mela by
Tahir Nadeem Khan Chamliyal
(J-K): Indian and Pakistani para-military troops guarding the borders joined
thousands of devotees at the annual religious fair held at the Dargah (mausoleum)
of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas near the border village of Chamliyal village in Jammu
region on Thursday. This annual fair was discontinued following the attack on
Indian Parliament in December, 2001 and later revived in 2004 as a part of the
peace initiative mooted by the two. Thousands of devotees including many from
Pakistan took part in the fair. Officers and other personnel of Pakistani Rangers
crossed the border to offer 'Chaddar' at the shrine. And in the process, the Border
Security Force (BSF) officials played hosts to their Pakistan counterparts, giving
them handful of soil from the shrine which happens to be a part of the tradition,
practised since many years. A high ranking officer of the Pakistan Rangers who
took part in the fair termed the event as stepping stone in bridging the divide
between the two nations - Pakistan and India. "Certainly, this is a step forward
to enhance the mutual co-operation, trust and understanding between the two security
forces. And we are looking forward to have more interaction, more exchange of
views with the BSF officials," said Brigadier Masood, Pakistan Rangers. The pilgrims
were happy with the opportunity to interact with people from across the border.
"A hostile environment was created between the two countries due to militancy.
A good message is spreading from here as people from both the countries are interacting.
The message is that people residing in both the countries they want peace, brotherhood
and solace," said Mohammad Hussain, a devotee from Lahore. Reportedly, this festival
dates back to more than 300 years and it takes place at two spots, 600 yards apart,
one being at Chamliyal on the Indian side and the other being at Saidanwali in
Pakistan. According to folklore Dalip Singh Manhas, a pious person, was returning
home when he was assaulted by some criminals and beheaded. His body fell in Saidanwali
village (now in Pakistan) and his head in Chamliyal. One of his disciples suffering
from an incurable skin ailment had a vision of Baba telling him that the soil
where his (Baba's) body had fallen had medicinal value. Baba then advised him
to mix the soil with water and apply it over the affected parts. The disciple
tried it and was cured. As news spread, people began thronging this place and
turned it into a holy shrine. Since then, believers follow the ritual of applying
the soil of Chamliyal referred as 'Shakkar' (surgar) and 'Sharbat' (water) on
their bodies. -June 26, 2009
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