Budha Amarnath Mandir is 30 kms from Poonch. U see temple in front. ''It is an ancient Shiva temple located at the confluence of two streams - the Nallah Gagri and the Pulstaya Nallah''.
View enroute to temple. ''According to tradition Ravan’s grandfather Pulasta Rishi performed his tapasya here and had a darshan of Lord Shiva.''
Side view of temple, it is spotlessly clean. Structure on right of pic is old temple. There is a langar where you get food, had some lovely parathas for breakfast.
This is what you see as you enter temple. This place was discovered by Shri Chandru Chund Mani Maharaj Ji. His Samadhi is in the temple compound.
A vertical view. Inside it a natural Shivlinga of white stone.
Spent about half in hour in silence here. Took me to a different level.
U see a natural Shivlinga of white stone (chakmak) inside the mandir.
A closer view of the natural Shivlinga.
Old dormitory to stay was not good (in Oct 2014) and the new rooms were not fully ready. About 7 kms away a friend took us to the Dak Bungalow in Loran. It was 8 pm ish when we reached, very cold. Had dal chawal dinner and off to bed. Early morning view. Loved the place.
Garden had these lovely flowers. Dak Bungalow surrounded by Deodhar trees, a stream flowed below, above was a village.
Left side village. Wagon R and Alto most popular vehicles in his region.
U see me fully clad. White head cap is made of rabbit wool, very warm. Bought it from Darkot near Munisyari in Kumaon. Entire village produces only wollen products, make Pashmina Shawls too. To see pics of Darkot Click here
View downhill from Dak Bungalow. Roofs all of tin because it snows there. Very nice place to visit in summers or even in Oct when we went. U can spend a day just walking around and meeting locals.
By about 8.30 am we were back at Budha Amarnath Mandir, had darshan again. Read about Shri Budha Amarnath Yatra Click here
Left and centre pic are of Swami Sankaranandji Maharaj, one in youth and another in old age. He gave up his body in 1971 at the age of 137. Right is the last Raj Guru of Poonch Shri Shamanandji Maharaj. The King asked his Rajguru to leave Poonch overnight because he suspected him of having links with his Queen who was his student. At that point the Rajguru said just as he was asked to leave overnight so would the King too which is what happened in 1947.
BSF Jawans at the temple. Admire the service done by the BSF, Army etc esp at such high altitude. It gets very tough during the winters. Former rulers of Poonch have settled in Dehradun.
This old stone was found in one of the villages and brought to the temple.
Left to right is a Sewak who does work for the temple with a spirit of Sewa, next is shopkeeper, third is Jai Kishoreji of temple committee and last is shopkeeper.
SBI ATM opposite the temple. Everywhere that I have travelled, at the remotest of places found a SBI ATM. Cannot tell you what a relief it is, never worried about falling short of cash.
Temple area has samadahis of number of Gurus who meditated here. One such Guru is Shri Vasant Giriji Maharaj.