Buddha Amarnath

    Swami Buddha Amarnath Ji Mandir or Chattani Baba Amarnath temple is situated in  Pir Panjal Region in the Rajpura village of Mandi, which is 25 kms away from the district headquarters of Poonch in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 4,600 ft above the sea level. This sacred place is located on the confluence of two gushing streams namely Nallah Gagri and Pulast Nadi which magnify the beauty of this temple. This temple is surrounded by snow bounded lofty peaks, thick belt of fur forests, lush green pastures and crystal clear streams. The climate of this attractive and charming spot is very pleasant and cool. The original Mandir has been constructed out of one big stone. There are four doors in the Mandir 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 Mandir. A number of ancient idols collected there from nearby villages are also installed in the premises of the Mandir. There were four holy springs near the Mandir in the past. At present, the water of three springs has been diverted to fourth one which is on the southern side of the Mandir. The water of these springs is considered holy from religious point of view. Buddha Amarnath shrine is older than the historical cave shrine of Amarnath in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The pilgrimage to Amarnath cave is considered incomplete without a visit to this place. It is believed that the Almighty Shiva grants wishes to everyone who makes a pilgrimage to Shri Buddha Amarnath in Mandi Poonch. Baba Buddha Amarnath shrine is one of the oldest shrines of Jammu region also. A mythological legend is associated with the river flowing nearby. It is said that Rishi Pulasta, grandfather of Ravana, performed his tapasya near this river and thus the river is named after him.

    Every year a ten-day Yatra to the shrine is organized in the most splendid and grand manner that ends on the event of Purnmashi, which is the day of Raksha Bandhan. The Chhari yatra for the first time was started by Raja Moti Singh of Poonch.  The yatra starts in the first week of the August every year and culminates on the occasion of the Raksha Bandhan. During the Yatra days entire region drools in a festive mood while joyously celebrating the festival. The main religious function is held on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan which is known as Mela Swami Buddha Amarnath Ji Festival, in which every year thousands of devotees from across India participate. Three days before the mela, a religious congregation is held at Dashnami Akhara Poonch for performing Havan and Pooja of Chhari Mubarak. In this congregation, people  pay tributes to the sacred mace after bhajan, kirtan and prevachans (speech) by the Mahant of the Akhara. 

    The route to reach the sacred place of the Buddha Amarnath “Chattani” is  Jammu - Rajouri - Surankote- Kalai - Poonch. There is also a route from Kalai - via Chandak to Mandi directly. But usually yatries stay in Poonch town during yatra times where the arrangements for the yatries are made in Dashnami Akhara. Pilgrims of Budha Amarnathji Yatra are treated as respectable guests by the organizing committee and the District Administration of Poonch. Irrespective of religion and region, all yatris are provided every possible help to facilitate pilgrimage in a good atmosphere. The boarding and lodging facilities are also provided to yatries by the Mandir committees of Dashnami Akhara Poonch and Buddha Amarnath Mandi. 

     After staying for a night in Poonch town,  they leave for the Budha Amarnath Mandir for performing Darshan of the Baba Budha Amarnath ‘Chattani’ the next day. The holy Mace (Chhari Mubarak) for Shri Baba Buddha Amarnath ji Temple is usually flagged off from Poonch after a huge public Satsang in which thousands of men, women, old and young participate for paying respect to Lord Shiva. In the morning of the last day of 10 days Yatra, the pooja of the Chhari Mubarak starts with a havan, chanting of mantras and satsang in Dashnami Akhara Poonch.

    A guard of honour is also offered to Chhari Mubarak at the front gate of Dashnami Akhara and the holy Mace (Chhari Mubarak) is taken by the Swami ji in a procession from Poonch Town toward Shri Buddha Amarnath ji.  Enroute to the Budha Amarnath Ji Mandir, the procession halts at the ‘Chandak’. After passing from various places  on this 25 km route, it reaches the temple of  Buddha Amarnath ji, Mandi in the evening where it is received by the District administration, local people, Sadhus and workers of the trust after guard of honour by the BSF contingents at the gate of Swami Budha Amarnath Ji Mandir. It marks the end of the actual Yatra and the Chhari Mubarak is taken to the main shrine in traditional rituals followed by the Aarti of Lord Shiva. The beauty of this pilgrimage is that the people across all the religious communities manage the stalls that are set up for the convenience of yatries. It is a true example of communal harmony.

    Like all ancient temples and shrines, Baba Amarnath temple is also enveloped in legends and myths. A famous legend in Hindu mythology says that Lord Shiva enlightened Goddess Parvati about the secret of life and eternity in this holy temple. The other formations of ice found and worshiped in the temple are replica of Shiva and Parvati’s son, Ganesha. People who come to visit this temple for completing the Yatra actually come here to worship a Lingam made of ice stalagmite. Another legend related to this temple says that King Aryaraja in Kashmir worshipped a Lingam made of ice. 

    In the book Rajatarangini, it is mentioned that the queen, Suryamathi had gifted sacred emblems like Banalingas and Trishuls to this temple. There are many manuscripts and ancient texts found in the temple which gives references of similar incidents. Another legend which is popular among people of the region is that it was here where the Lord Shiva performed Tandava dance, which was a symbol of sacrificing the earthly pleasures. After which, along with Goddess Parvati, LordShiva entered the holy temple of Baba Amarnath.

     People of this region also believes that Chandrika, Rani of Loran who was a true devotee of Lord Shiva would unfailingly go for her annual pilgrimage to Amaranth cave in Kashmir. One year, she could not undertake the pilgrimage on account of feudal wars in this region. She was so dejected that she gave up food and water and kept praying to the Lord. Then, Lord Shiva appeared before the Rani in the form of an old Sadhu (Sage) and told her that if she can’t go to Amarnath cave, he can take her to the Amarnath cave which is quite near to her place. Sadhu led Rani as well as other devotees to this place and after showing them the Chakmak rock, Lingam disappeared. Rani in gratitude named temple as Shri Budha Amarnath, in remembrance of the old sage, who was instrumental in leading her and other devotees to the pious place. 

   This place is 250 km from Jammu and if you are a follower of Lord Shiva and want to see the heritage/history connect, you can visit this place especially during Shravan, which sees the huge rush of pilgrims from all parts of India. The best season to visit the temple is summer season. The best months to visit are May to July and September to October. But if you want to attend the Yatra, you have to visit here in the first week of August.