Panch Pir

Panch Pir

The graves of Panch Pir lie in Ram Nagar on the bank of the Tawi River. It is unknown when these five sages reached here. For a pretty long time nobody knew about the site of the graves. These were finally discovered in 1946.

Tradition has that Maharaja Gulab Singh had once seen a saint in his vision that complained why he slept his legs pointing to him and showed him some identification marks of the site. The Maharaja called the saints in the morning and told them of the vision who advised him to order for the digging at the site. They found a walking stick, a hooka, and five drums in the excavation. The Maharaja raised the tomb on the place and appointed Alif Shah, the keeper.

PIR BABA PANCH PIR (NEAR RAJ BHAWAN,JAMMU)

The site, where the Ram Nagar colony now stands, was a verdant forest. Wild animals roamed about during the day. The sages found the place to their liking, settled down here, and engaged in prayer to God. Their names are known. One of them went to Calcutta and died there; the second and third brothers expired at Basothi and Rajouri respectively; the fourth one passed away at Purmandal. However, it is known for certain, that the brothers stayed at Ram Nagar and spent a longer period of time in prayers.

The Panch Pir Shrine turned a disputed matter in 1947 as the Hindu residents of Ram Nagar laid their claim on it saying that the five Pandav brothers stayed here during their exile. The dispute flared up till the parties decided to erect a Lingam near the grave. The devotees watched it every day. Some days later, it fell. The Hindus with drew their claim and admitted it the Panch Pir shrine.

Some people hold that lion guards it and pug mark are seen on the earth around. Professor Yasin claims that the Panch Pir was buried in Pakistan. Some earth from the grave was brought and interned here.

The grave

Panch Pir's Shrine is small. The Urs is celebrated on the last Thursday of the month of July every year. The devotees, small in number, distribute rice, sweets, fruit, wave green or red buntings, lit lamps, and beat drums at the shrine. Thousands of the Hindus and Muslims offer their respects to the departed soul.