SIALKOT: A good number of people on Thursday visited border-area Charwah village along the Sialkot Working Boundary to pay homage to Baba Chaambliyaal on the opening day of his annual Urs.

The three-day celebrations begin on the fourth Thursday of June every year at no man’s land at Tulsipur-Charwah village, about 64 kilometres away from the city. The shrine is located in Ramgarh sector of India’s Samba district.

All manner of men, women and children visited the no man’s land by private vehicles and even on foot. They show eagerness to have a glimpse of the shrine of Baba Dalip Singh Manhas commonly known as Baba Chaambliyaal. They also enjoy arrangements at the fair besides participation in devotional activities.

The devotees perform rituals and collect the holy ‘sherbet’ (sweet water) and ‘shakkar’ (soil) from the shrine. The administrations on both sides of the border make arrangements for the visitors.

Local social workers Ateeb Ayub and Usman Haider say people have a firm belief that ‘shakkar’ and ‘sherbet’ they use have healing and medicinal value. They use these to rid themselves of skin ailments.

Although the devotees from Pakistan are not allowed to cross over to India, they gather at Charwah village.

“The border has divided the land into two parts but the blessings of Baba Chaambliyaal enable us to mingle at the festival,” said Tajamal Hussain, a devotee.

“Humanity knows no borders,” said another devotee, Naveed Akhtar.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2019