Baba Chamliyal Mela attracts devotees from Pakistan

The annual festival of Sufi saint Baba Chamliyal was celebrated on Thursday, with devotees from Pakistan also paying obeisance at the shrine in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir.

In Saidanwali village on the Pakistan side, people waited for the sacred 'sharbat' and 'shakkar' from the dargah of Baba Chamliyal in Chamliyal village in Ramgarh sector of Samba district, 40 km from Jammu city.

India's Border Security Force and Pakistan's Chenab Rangers handle the annual fair, and help people from both sides of the international border receive the sacred items believed to have healing properties against skin ailments.

Commander Waseem Jaffar of the Rangers and other officers came to the dargah to pay obeisance and carry the sacred items for devotees across the border.

BSF Deputy Inspector General B.S. Chasana welcomed the Pakistani officers, who also offered a 'chadar' at the Sufi saint's mausoleum.

The festival is celebrated in memory of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas every year in June in Chamliyal village. The unique feature of the festival is that Baba Chamliyal is revered by people on both sides of the border, and from all religions.