HAZRAT ZAIN-UD-DIN WALI
Village Aishmuqam is very well known in every part of Kashmir on account of the historical Shrine of Sheikh Zain-ud-din who lived in the 15thcentury AD and was one of the principal disciples of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din, the leading Rishi of Kashmir. The Shrine is situated on a hillock, about 20 kms short of the famous hill resort of Pahalgam overlooking the bewitching Lidder Valley. The Shrine is a lovely master piece of medieval shrine architecture. The road to the Shrine branches off to the right from main Anantnag-Pahalgam road. The mausoleum is located inside a deep cave atop the hill, about 100 metres higher than the main road.
Sheikh Zain-ud-Din was a prince of the ruling Rajas of Kishtwar and was known by the name of Zia Singh before his conversion. His father Yesh Singh, the then Kishtwar ruler, is said to have been assassinated when Zia Singh was only 13years old. Zia Singh was suffering from a disease which left no possibility of recovery. Sheikh Noor-ud-Din is said to have passed through Kishtwar just at that time and having heard of his miracles, Zia Singh’s mother begged of the Sheikh to visit and to pray for his recovery. The Sheikh agreed on the understanding that Zia Singh would meet him in Kashmir after he recovered. Zia Singh did not however keep his promise and fell sick again. His mother kept on a crying day and night until she had a vision in which the Sheikh appeared. Zia Singh’s mother promised that she would fulfil her obligation this time if her son would recover again. With the restoration of his normal health, ZiaSingh proceeded to Kashmir to meet the Saint. The mother and the son undertook the hazardous journey from Kishtwar to Bumzua, a village about 8 kms South of Aishmuqam, where Sheikh Noor-ud-Din was staying at that time. It was at this place that both Zia Singh and his mother embraced Islam and came to be Known as Zain-ud-Din and Zoon Ded respectively.
Among local inhabitants, legend has it that Zain-ud-Din meditated for a long time in village Mandjan of Tehsil Sopore where he attained spiritual perfection. It was at this stage that Sheikh Noor-ud-Din advised him to migrate to the cave atAishmuqam and meditate there for the remaining period of his life.The spot where the Shrine is located was known as Puhar pend.
Rishi Nama gives an account of the spot that Aishmuqam was the capital of Yeshsain, who dug out a cave in the hill tail. Baba Zain-ud-Din chose the same cave for his devotion and meditation.The exact date of the death of the Saint is not known, but Baba Zain-ud-Din left for heavenly abode sometime in 1448. His ‘Urs’ or anniversary is, however, celebrated on the 13thday of Baisakh (April). The highlight of the week-long festival is a torch lit procession. By six in the evening, children start lighting Leshi torches. As soon as a match is lit to these Leshistrips, they catch fire. Once lit, even rain cannot douse them. This festival is popularly known as ‘Zool’.
Two mosques known as Khanqah are also attached to the Shrine. The Khanqah besides being used for prayers, are also a repository of the relics of the Saint which are held in high esteem. These consist ofa bow, a paten, wooden bread, a rosary, a wooden club and a copy of Quran. It is said that the Saint observed fasts frequently and whenever he felt hungry, he licked the wooden bread to satisfy his appetite. These relics are publicly displayed whenever the village meets with some catastrophe, such as famine, epidemic, etc. The Shrine attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all parts of the Valley every year.
