Buddha Amarnath Ji: The Shirne with Ice Like Sphatika Shiva Lingam
Jammu, July 02: Shri Chattani Baba Buddha Amarnath Ji shrine located at Rajpura Mandi near Mandi village in picturesque surrounding of district Poonch in Jammu division of Jammu and Kashmir is one of the highly revered Shiva temples of Hindu community placed next only to Baba Amarnath Ji of Kashmir.
The shrine has an ice like Sphatika Shiva Lingam representing the Baba Amarnath ji in Poonch with legends saying that the main Amarnath yatra in considered incomplete without visiting this temple. Another belief is that one who cannot visit Amarnath Shrine in Kashmir can visit this place to have darshan of the Lord Shiva.
The temple known as Chattani Baba Buddha Amarnath temple stands erect at 290 km in the North-West direction of Poonch and is at 4600 ft above the sea level.
Beautiful valleys and hills near Pulasti River add to the beauty of this shrine and for centuries people from all over India come here for their Amarnath Yatra. It is considered one of the most important religious visits for Hindus. Pilgrims and tourists come here in huge numbers during the “saawan mahina” to visit this temple. It is a popular belief among the Hindu community that without visiting Baba Buddha Amarnath shrine, their Amarnath Yatra cannot be completed. Hindu community living around the temple is loyal and has undying faith towards the temple. They have immense faith in the temple and contribute to maintenance of the famous shrine of Baba Buddha Amarnath ji.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s shrine and the uniqueness of this temple is acknowledged because it is the only Shiva temple that is not located on hilltop but rather at a foothill. Even the Shivling found here is not a stalactite. The temple is unique in every way and also possesses divine powers. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit the temple each year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan with lot of pomp and show. The beautiful Loran stream that flows beside this temple adds to its neighbouring scenic beauty.
Buddha Amarnath Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located at the confluence of two streams – the Nallah Gagri and the Pulstaya Nallah. The people believe that Ravan’s Grandfather Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya here and had a darshan of Lord Shiva. Budha Amarnathji Yatra traditionally follows the route from Jammu to Rajouri and then to Poonch. Pilgrims to Budha Amarnathji Yatra are treated as respectable guests by the organizing committee and the district administration of Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir. Irrespective of religion and region all Yatris are provided every possible help to facilitate in performing pilgrimage in a conducive atmosphere.
The yatra of Shri Buddha Amarnath ji is also organized on a huge scale by the Hindu community as well as the district administration which makes elaborate arrangements for the pilgrims.
Chattani Baba Buddha Amarnath Committee organizes the annual yatra every year on Raksha Bandan and this year the yatra is scheduled to commence from August 17 with both the committee and administration making elaborate arrangements for the yatirs.
The ten-day Yatra to the shrine ends on the event of Purnmashi, which is the day of Raksha Bandhan. A procession is carried out in festive manner leading the Yatra from Poonch to Baba Buddha Amarnath.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s shrine located amongst the picturesque surrounding of Poonch. Thousands of tourists visit the temple each year on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan with lot of pomp and show. However, more than 500 people visit the shrine and pay obeisance daily to Baba Buddha Amarnath.
There are several legends associated with the temple with one story describing how great sage Pulstya Rishi used to go to Kashmir for Amarnath pilgrimage every year but when he grew old he was unable to visit the holy cave. The legend says that while he was sitting at his ashram at Rajpura Mandi in Poonch Lord Shiva appeared before him and showered him with blessings. After which the temple of Buddha Amarnath came into existence.
Another legend has yet another story of the queen of Kalantar of Loren valley known as Queen Chandrika who was a great devotee of the Lord Shiva and due to huge snow she could not visit Amarnath Shrine at Kashmir and was very disappointed. She began meditation of Lord Amarnath after which an old sage appeared in her dreams and told her that he would take her to the pilgrimage of Amarnath ji. He told her that she can visit a place near Loren where Lord Shiva is in a Samadhi. She reached there and looked around but the sage had disappeared and after hectic efforts when she could not find him she realized that it was the lord Shiva himself. She asked for digging at the place and found a Saphtika Shiv lingam which later came to be known as Chattani baba Buddha Amarnath ji. (Compiled with inputs from various websites)