Srinagar: Thousands of Kashmiris gathered at the cave shrine of Reshi saint Baba Zain-ud-din Wali atop a hillock in Anantnag district’s Aishmuqam, carrying burning torches that illuminated the area during the annual festival Saturday.
However, as J&K Waqf Board did not allow the torch procession inside the shrine premises this time, citing safety concerns due to the wooden structure of the shrine, devotees lighted pinewood torches at a distance. Torches were also lit on surrounding hillocks and in numerous villages across south Kashmir. Known locally as “Zool festival” — Zool means brightness in Kashmiri — the festival marks the beginning of agricultural activities.
Prayers chanted in Kashmiri and Arabic included poetic shruks of Kashmiri patron saint Sheikh Nur al Din, also known as Nund Reshi. Baba Zain-ud-din Wali was one of his disciples. Other slogans included “Allahu, Allahu” and “Zain Shah, Badshah.”
Baba Zain-ud-din, a 15th-century mystic, is believed to have settled in Aishmuqam after converting to Islam and became a prominent figure in the Kashmiri Reshi order.
Syed Ashiq Hussain Ashrafi, a local Waqf official, told TOI that according to local legend, the torch festival dates to the time of Prophet Moses. The tradition of including folk songs began in the mid-2000s, he added.
“I came from Dorru. I even came during the Covid lockdown. We have deep faith in the saint and always make sure to observe this day at the shrine,” said a devotee.
Ashfaq Ahmad Bhat, 45, another participant, said he has been part of the festival since childhood. “My grandfather lit the torch here. My father came regularly, and now so do I. It’s part of our faith,” he said.
