Faith brings thousands to Baba Chamliyal on IB in Samba

Chamliyal, International Border, Jun 26 (UNI) Faith brought thousands of devotees to the holy shrine of Baba Daleep Singh Manhas famous as 'Baba Chamliyal' on International Border (IB) in Ramgarh Sector of Samba district.

Forgetting man made barriers, thousands of devotees stood on both sides of the border to have a glimpse of the ritual of handing over of a 'chaddar' of flowers to the BSF officers by the Pakistani Rangers for being laid on the tomb (dargah) of the Baba Chamliyal.

However, no one was allowed to reach 'no man's land' despite lot of enthusiasm among the people on both the sides, where the officers of the BSF and Pakistani Rangers exchanged gifts and sweets.

Pak Ranger Colonel Ahid Muzaffar Shah handed over the 'chaddar' to DIG Jammu Frontier G S Virk, which was later laid on 'dargah' and exchanged sweets and fruits as a token of love and friendship.

''The gathering on both sides of the border is an indication that people want peace and want to extend hands for friendship,'' Colonel Ahid of Pak Rangers told reporters during an interaction.

''This occasion bring us closer and helps in strengthening the bonds and we are hopeful that relations between both India and Pakistan will improve and be more healthy ahead,'' Colonel Ahid added.

Devotees of Baba Chamliyal on the other side of the border anxiously waited for the 'shakkar' (soil) and 'sharbat' (water) from the well near the 'dargah' that was dispatched in tractor-trolleys and tankers to them from here.

People across the border also organised a 'mela' and paid obeisance at the dargah of baba Chamliyal famous as 'Baba Sayeed Manhas' in village Saidanwali, located at a distance from this side of the border in Pakistan.

Devotees coming to this place take bath and believe that by applying 'soil' (shakkar) and water (sharbat) all skin diseases are cured.

UNI VBH AE BD1802