In our existing application properties file is embedded in a jar file ,we decided to move properties file outside of ear(application) , what is the best place to put properties file in IBM websphere 8.5 ? so that i can retrieve path with WAS Environment variables and file should be available to all nodes in a cluster ..
You can use the classloader directories for that. I would use the directory classes (you might need to create) under $WEBSPHERE_HOME/AppServer/classes and drop your properties there. You should then be able to find them from any of your applications / servers.
Check the Class loaders page.