Baba Dhansar: A Sacred Place dedicated to Lord Shiva



Baba Dhansar is a holy Hindu pilgrimage site, attended by devotees from the Jammu region and various other states as they seek the blessings from Lord Shiva. According to some beliefs, Sheshnag incarnated as a human named Vishnu, and it is said that Baba Dhansar was his son, as per Hindu mythology. Legend has it that when demons attacked the area, the villagers turned to Baba Dhansar for help, and Lord Shiva intervened, defeating the demon and saving the people. The sacred site is situated about 17 kilometers from Reasi towards Katra and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a beauty with gorgeous waterfalls and a sacred pond. Local lore has it that Lord Shiva, while on his way to the Amarnath cave to tell Parvati the story of his immortality, had put his serpent king, Sheshnag, at Anantnag. Sheshnag then incarnated as a human named Vasudev, who was the father of Dhansar, a saint of great repute. It narrates how demons terrorized the villagers near Karua Jheel. Baba Dhansar prayed to Lord Shiva, who came and drove the demon away. In gratitude, a temple of Baba Dhansar and a cave of Lord Shiva were erected close to Karua Jheel. This holy pond, Karua Jheel, is considered sacred, and no bathing is allowed in it; ,despite this devotees can bathe downstream. Those who bathe in the stream and pray with sincere faith shall have their wishes fulfilled. The beauty of Baba Dhansar and its vicinity is quite captivating. The area is dominated by numerous waterfalls cascading into the Banganga River, enhancing the calmness of the surroundings. 

A naturally formed Shivalingam, over which water droplets fall continuously throughout the year, adds to the spiritual charm of the site. To reach the shrine, visitors must descend approximately 150 steps from the road. The entire walk is accompanied by scenic waterfalls, making the journey both spiritual and visually pleasing. The Best Time to Visit this sacred place is during Maha Shivaratri month. A significant number of devotees visit during Mahashivratri when an annual fair (mela) is organized. The site is also popular during the month of Shravan for Lord Shiva worship. While the site attracts many visitors, especially during festivals, some reports suggest that infrastructure development is ongoing. The entire walk is enhanced by beautiful waterfalls, making the journey both spiritually enriching and visually stunning. The ideal time to visit this sacred site is during the month of Maha Shivaratri, when a large number of devotees come to participate in the annual fair (mela) that is held. The site also sees a surge in visitors during the month of Shravan, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Although it attracts many pilgrims, especially during festivals, there are reports indicating that infrastructure development is still in progress.

Although it is a cherished haunt among nature lovers, mainly of Jammu, and pilgrims of Vaishno Devi & Shiv Khori, yet its recognition as a prime tourist hotspot in the state still remains to be seen. It is teeming with visitors in the summer, with hardly any space in the temple, yet still inadequate in development. Roads from the temple to the main road were quite atrocious when the writer last visited this holy place. The administration needs to concentrate on the repair of this road for the comfortable passage of the holy pilgrims and the general public. The J&K Tourism should explore setting up a cafeteria for refreshments as would be the case with visitors from other states. It would also be good for the Tourism department to establish guest houses or hotels nearby, which would also contribute to the economy of Reasi district. Baba Dhansar serves as a shrine and also a lovesome picnic place of escape from the monotony of life. The combination of this spiritual aspect with natural beauty provides an added distinction to this destination in the Reasi district.

(Vivek Koul) 

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