Chambliyal mela to be celebrated tomorrow at zero line

Jammu, June 27 (UNI) An annual fair which brings the people of India and Pakistan together is to be celebrated tomorrow as the local people and Border Security Force(BSF) jawans are making last minute preparations for the event.

The 318-year-old Chambliyal mela is celebrated on both sides of the border.The fair has become hugely popular in Pakistan in the last few years after the bilateral peace process between the two countries was launched.

Baba Chambliyal shrine is close to the zero line in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir and it adjoins Pakistan's Sialkot district in Punjab.

As the area is located near the zero line, the area is also looked after by the BSF, which has constructed a community kitchen and guest house for pilgrims over there.

Every year in the Pakistani village of Saidanwali, about 100 meters away, people wait for mud and water from the shrine.It is believed that the soil of this place has medicinal properties.

People with skin ailments come to the shrine and rub themselves with the mud, which they call 'shakkar' (sugar), and water from the well, and then stand in the sun. Scores of men and women perform the ritual throughout the year.

The event takes place amidst heavy security arrangements by BSF and Pakistan Rangers (PR) in their respective areas.The BSF jawans hand over the mud and water to PRs of the Chenab regiment, who are accompanied by the village head of the adjoining village in Sialkot district of Pakistan.

Ever since the ceasefire between the two countries, the rush on the Pakistan side has increased.

Veteran writer Balraj Puri said, until 1947, a family that migrated from Chambliyal village to Pakistan looked after the shrine and now a local committee has been formed to look after its affairs.

UNI