Jammu, May 17: The famous shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji, situated at Sidh -Swankha in Samba district of Jammu region, is fast emerging as the sought after religious tourist destination in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
After Mata Vaishni Devi, the shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji has become the second most sought after religious tourist spot when it comes to the number of devotees visiting this shrine each year.
As per the official figures, a total of 2,77489 devotees from different parts of India visited the shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji this year till March. This number of religious tourists visiting the shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji is the second highest after Mata Vaishno Devi.
Similarly, in 2023, a total of 1168782 devotees visited the holy shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji to pay their obeisance. This number of religious tourists is also second highest after Mata Vaishno Devi.
The other famous religious tourist destinations of J&K namely, Mansar, Sukrala Mata, Mata Bala Sundri, Chichi Mata at Samba, Narsingh Temple at Gaghwal in Samba, Baba Goran and Basholi have witnessed far too less religious tourist influx as compared to Baba Sidh Goria and Mata Vishno Devi.
The famous shrine of Baba Sidh Goria ji is situated at Sidh -Swankha in Samba district where devotees from all corners of the country pay obeisance at this holy place especially on Tuesday and Sunday after taking dip into holy Sarovor.
It is believed that Baba ji showers blessings on all the devotees who keep faith and confidence in this sacred place.
Every year, an annual public fair (mela) is organised at Sidh swankha and dangal also, which lasts for seven days wherein devotees not only from J&K but also from Punjab, Haryana, UP and other parts of the country turn up and seek blessings.
The fair has had great relevance for centuries for those who reside in the vicinity of the shrine. These people make preparations well in advance to accommodate guests who visit to participate in the fair.
From small to elderly persons, men/women all turn up to join the fair and have a complete glance of all the past samadhis of Babas who laid down their whole life for the welfare of people. The devotees receive blessings of the Baba.
Special pooja is organised while people enjoy every variety and attraction of the fair after having a glimpse (Darshan) in the shrine.
It is believed that in the early 20th century ‘nath’ community came to north India under the leadership of Guru Gorakh Nath Ji and here they started treating people suffering from multiple diseases.
They used to tie raw thread and used holy soil (Vibuti) as a medicine. They preached humanity in the area by saving a lot of lives and earned name and fame. Baba Sidh Goria Ji was one of the disciples of guru Gorakh Nath ji.
It is also believed that there was a king namely Vikram dev ruling Jammu in 12th century while the city was situated on hill top.
During that period there was an acute scarcity of drinking water for the people. Raja Vikram dev ordered digging a well to arrange water for the people and after digging 150 feet deep there was no sign of water found.
The king was very much disappointed and he called all his purohits and pandits for solution and in turn they collectively suggested the king to arrange a Brahmin boy for sacrifice who has no real brother.
The king was shocked and thought that he was digging a well for the welfare of people but this incident would definitely land him in trouble earning him sins .
The king ordered his soldiers to offer whatever price but bring the required child as per suggestion of pandits.
The soldiers went out searching here and there but all efforts went in vain. Ultimately, when they were returning back they came across a boy namely ‘veeru’.
The father sold his son against money equal to his weight, while leaving his house, Veeru said to his father that you don’t love your son, you love only money which made his mother cry for the inhuman deal.
Veeru was brought in front of the king who asked him to take meals of his choice as he had to be sacrificed in the well for sake of water. With a smile on his face, Veeru said that he had left the food from the day the king ordered digging the well”.
He suggested to the king if water could be made available without any sacrifice, would it be acceptable to him? The king smiled and questioned how it is possible? if it happens without offering any sacrifice there is no objection at all.
Veeru was a disciple of Guru Gorakh Nath ji and it is said that guru Gorakh Nath ji ordered veeru to put one drop of blood from his finger into the well while he did the same and at once the dry well was miraculously full of water.
On seeing this miracle everyone including the king was happy but Veeru cursed the king saying if the king drinks water from this well, he will suffer serious skin diseases.
