Abstract
The shrine situated at the international border between India and Pakistan in village Chamliyal of Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir (India) is associated with the ‘healing touch’ saint popularly known as Baba Chamliyal (Baba). The saint who lived some 320 years ago was famous for curing people as well as animals of skin diseases. His aura and influence continue till today as people from far and wide with diverse socio-economic and religious backgrounds come here to be treated for skin related problems. The skin diseases are believed to be healed by the application of a paste of local shakkar (mud/clay) and sharbat (water of the well) for some days with the blessings of the ‘Baba’. Certain rules, rituals, and restrictions are also to be followed by the patients strictly. According to the legend when Baba Chamliyal was assassinated due to his popularity at village Saidanwali (now in Sialkot, Pakistan), his head dropped there, while his body fell some 500 metres away at Chamliyal (now in India). To commemorate the memory of the Baba, an annual mela (fair) is organized in both these locations in the two countries simultaneously in the month of June. Even gifts have been exchanged until very recently. Amidst the growing animosity and border conflicts between India and Pakistan, this paper explores the significance of the Baba Chamliyal shrine for people as a sacred space that provides healing touch par excellence, and one that promotes the values of humanism and oneness. This is done through the observation and analysis of activities associated with the worship at the shrine throughout the year, and interviews with the pilgrims, staff members, villagers, and patients.
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Notes
- 1.
The LoC is the de facto border (not legally recognized International boundary) between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir (https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_Control).
- 2.
‘The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019’ passed by the Indian Parliament provides for the reorganization of the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir (consisting of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh regions) and formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and, the separate Union Territory of Ladakh.
- 3.
India blamed Pakistan for 860 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and the working boundary along Jammu-Sialkot, and Pakistan blamed India for 1300 ceasefire violations causing around 100 deaths in 2017 (www.e-ir.info/2018/02/08/india-and-pakistan-formalizing-the-2003ceasefireagreement).
- 4.
Kashmir Times, ‘3 Officers, among 4 BSF personnel, killed; 3 injured in Pak firing’. KT News Service. Dated: 6/14/2018 9:46:31 AM (https://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet).
- 5.
Sandhu, Kamaljit Kaur. ‘Pakistan never dares to target this dargah situated at LoC. Here’s why’ (www.indiatoday.in/India). Updated: January 26, 2018 20:25 IST. Also, personal communication with the people at the shrine of Baba Chamliyal.
- 6.
All the interviews with the local people, Committee members, pilgrims, and the patients who came for treatment of skin disease and lived at the Baba Chamliyal shrine, were conducted in 2018 and 2019.
- 7.
Urs is the death anniversary of a Sufi saint in South Asia, usually held at the saint’s dargah.
- 8.
See K. Warikoo, ‘Shrines and Pilgrimage Places of Kashmir’ 2009: 149–165.
- 9.
The Muslim shrines in J&K have been governed and managed by the J&K Waqf Board headed by the Chief Minister of the State (https://www.jkwakaf.net/history). With the implementation of the J&K Reorganization Act 2019, all 133 Muslim mosques and shrines, with an annual income of rupees 26 crores (260 million) and 9500 kanals (1187.5 acres) of land, in Jammu and Kashmir have come under the Central Waqf Board (Ashiq 2019).
- 10.
Ms. Sheetal Nanda was the then Deputy Commissioner (DC) Samba and the Chairperson of the Baba Chamliyal Shrine Committee. I am thankful to her and all the respondents who gave valuable information. Special thanks to Manu and Heena Saini, their family members, and Karan Singh for continuous support throughout the field visits to the Baba Chamliyal shrine.
- 11.
Billu Choudhary alias Charan Das (56) (Interviewed on 30 November 2019), Panch (member) of Gram Panchayat Channi Patwal which manages the functioning of the Baba Chamliyal shrine and the Pujari (Priest), Chetan Sharma (28) (Interviewed on 3 August 2019) of the temple informed that as the members of Auqaf Board were trying to lay claims to the shrine, it was important to undermine the Islamic elements as Baba Chamliyal was a Hindu. They helped in settling the matter peacefully.
- 12.
In Hinduism, it also means the perfect union of the individualized soul with infinite spirit. A state of deep meditation and contemplation leading to higher consciousness and oneness with the divine.
- 13.
They are commonly found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh and used to depict pride and honour in Rajput, Maratha, and Jat architecture (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chhatri).
- 14.
Rajrah, Simple. ‘Of faith and Myth: History at the Shrine at the Border’ (https://www.sahapedia.org/of-faith-and-myth-history-shrine-the-border).
- 15.
Mr. Charan Das (56), Panch, Gram Panchayat Channi Patwal, Dist. Samba. Interviewed on 30th November 2019 at village Dag Chhani, District Samba.
- 16.
As per the information given by Mr. Angrez Pal (38), a Govt. Teacher and a Member of the Chamliyal Baba Committee. Interviewed on 27th June 2019. He also informed about the origin and the history of the shrine.
- 17.
Panchayat elections in the state of Jammu and Kashmir were held in November 2018. One-third of the total seats of Panch and Sarpanch was reserved for women. Ms. Asha Rani was elected as Sarpanch of Channi Patwal Gram Panchayat on the women’s reserved seat. Besides her, there are 07 members or Panchs. The Sarpanch gets Rs. 2500 per month while the Panchs (members) get rupees 1500 per month from the Govt.
- 18.
- 19.
Information compiled based on discussion with the Committee Members, including the Priest and the Cooks.
- 20.
As informed by Ms. Sheetal Nanda (Secretary, Dept. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Jammu and Kashmir), the then Deputy Commissioner (DC), Samba District, J&K, and the Chairperson of the Baba Chamliyal Committee (2014–2018) under whose leadership these works were accomplished. Interviewed on 20 March 2020.
- 21.
- 22.
The information is largely based on the views of Committee Members of the Shrine. Also see Mohammed 2012: 52–54.
- 23.
Malik, Zafar. Chamliyal Mela brings rivalry to ‘zero point’—The Nation, Charwah, Sialkot June 28, 2013 (see nation.com.pk/28-Jun-2013/chamliyal-mela-brings).
- 24.
- 25.
Sharma, Ashutosh. ‘J&K: Sufi shrine becomes latest victim of Indo-Pak border conflict’ (www.nationalheraldindia.com/NEWS/India) Published: 13 Jun 2018, 5:29 PM.
- 26.
Khandari, Mohit ‘Pak tension hits Baba Chamliyal congregation—The Pioneer’ (www.dailypioneer.com/india/pak-tension-hits-baba-chamliyal-con). Thursday, 27 June 2019. Khajuria, Amit. ‘Chamliyal Mela celebrated sans traditional exchange with Pak’ (www.tribuneindia.com/J&K).
- 27.
These are: Jitender Singh, Assistant Commandant, SI Rajneesh, ASI Ramniwas, and Constable Hansraj.
- 28.
The interviews were conducted with some Committee Members on the day of the Baba Chamliyal mela on 27 June 2019.
- 29.
Mr. Charan Das (56), popularly known as Billu Choudhary. An interview with him was conducted on 27 June 2019 at Baba Chamliyal shrine.
- 30.
Foods in Ayurvedic literature that contain the quality (guna) sattva (quality of goodness) like seasonal, non-meat based foods.
- 31.
Kuljeet Kumar (28) (original name), is a cook at the shrine of Baba Chamliyal. Interviewed on 3 August 2019.
- 32.
Vijay Chowdhary (39) (original name) is also the cook at the shrine of Baba. Interviewed on 12 September 2019.
- 33.
Names changed to protect the identity of the respondents (patients). The pseudo names are given keeping their gender, caste, and religion in mind. In most areas, the people suffering from incurable skin diseases (which are also visible) are stigmatized. All the interviews were conducted in 2018 and 2019, though visits were made to the Shrine before and after as well.
- 34.
Interviewed on 26 May 2018, and 3 August 2019.
- 35.
Eczema is a skin disease in which a person has long-lasting, red, itchy rashes.
- 36.
Interviewed on 13 October 2018.
- 37.
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic skin disease that causes the rapid build-up of skin cells resulting in scaling on the surface of the skin. Inflammation and redness around the scales are quite common. Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp (https://www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article; https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis).
- 38.
Interviewed on 12 November 2018.
- 39.
Interviewed at the shrine of Baba Chamliyal on 3 August 2019.
- 40.
The ancient medical system based on a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health.
- 41.
Interviewed on 3 August 2019 at the shrine of Baba Chamliyal.
- 42.
In medical terminology, it is called Vitiligo, a condition in which the skin loses its pigment cells (melanocytes) and colour. This can result in discoloured patches in different areas of the body, including the skin, hair, retina, and mucous membranes (www.mayoclinic.org/vitiligo/symptoms-causes/syc-20355912).
- 43.
Interviewed on 4 August 2019 at the Shrine of Baba Chamliyal.
- 44.
Psoriasis is a noncontagious, chronic skin disease that causes the rapid build-up of skin cells resulting in scaling on the surface of the skin. Inflammation and redness around the scales are quite common. Psoriasis commonly affects the skin of the elbows, knees, and scalp (www.medicinenet.com/psoriasis/article; www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis).
- 45.
Interviewed on 4 August, 2019 at the Women’s Apartment, Baba Chamliyal Shrine.
- 46.
Interviewed on 3 August 2019.
- 47.
Interviewed on 4 August 2019.
- 48.
Interviewed on 3 August 2019. Each of these women—Rajkumari, Kamlesh, Radha, and Sumita were interviewed individually on 3 and 4 August 2019, and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was held with these and other women at the Women’s Apartment in the shrine of Baba Chamliyal on 4 August 2019.
- 49.
Interviewed on 30 November 2019.
- 50.
Interviewed on 30 November 2019.
- 51.
Interviewed on 19 October 2019.
- 52.
Interviewed on 19 October 2019.
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Chauhan, A. (2021). The Healing Touch Saint: Baba Chamliyal Shrine at the International Border in Samba District. In: Chauhan, A. (eds) Understanding Culture and Society in India. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1598-6_6
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