The Torch Festival of Aishmuqam

The annual Urs of Zain-u- din Wali, the 15th century saint is celebrated March-April in what constitute unusual festivities. Men, women and children gather at the shrine---a cave--- atop a hillock in Aishmuqam village of Anantnag district, carrying torches.

As the legend has it Zain-u- din Wali --Zia Singh as a child--- belonged to a Rajput Hindu family from neighbouring Kishtwar district. Information available on the official website of district Anantnag says Zain-ud- din,before his conversion was a prince and belonged to the ruling Rajas of Kishtwar.

Zia Singh fell gravely ill as a child. His distraught mother approached a visiting mystic Sheikh Noordin Reshi (the leading Sufi of Kashmir). He prayed for the child on the condition that when he recovered she would bring him to Kashmir. He did recover but his mother forgot to take him to the Valley. The boy fell ill again. His mother saw the mystic in her dream and remembered the promise. She took Zia Singh to Kashmir, both became Muslims, and the child from then on remained uder the guidance of the Sufi saint who later ordered him to move to the cave of Aishmuqam for meditation. When he reached the cave he found it full of snakes and other reptiles. He ordered the snakes to leave the cave.

The mother of Zia Singh met the mystic, who prayed for the relief of the sick child on the condition that after recovering from his illness, her mother will bring him to Kashmir. But after this event the mother forgets to take Zia Singh to Kashmir as per her promise. The boy again fell ill. The mother of the boy saw that mystic in her dream remembering her of her promise. The mother took Zia Singh to Kashmir where both accepted Islam on the word of Noordin Reshi. Thereafter Zia Singh was renamed as Zain-u- din Wali. Afterwards the Zain-u- din remained under the guidance of Noordin Reshi, who ordered him to move to the cave of Aishmuqam for meditation. When Zain-u- din reached the cave it was inhabited by snakes and other reptiles. Zain-u- din reshi ordered the snakes to leave the cave. And emerged from the cave a saint.

So to commemorate the moment when he entered the cave, people of all religions gather with torchlights.

These photographs by SAMEER MUSHTAQ bring home the event:

A Kashmiri Shopkeeper selling local Snacks waiting for a costumer during a torch light procession to celebrate the Festival of Lights .

Kashmiri women pray during a torch light procession

Kashmiri Muslim pray Inside Shrine during a torch light procession to celebrate the Festival of Lights on a hilltop near the shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam

Kashmiri Muslim villagers carrying torches walk on a mountain trail to reach the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam.

Kashmiri Muslim villagers carrying torches walk on a mountain trail to reach the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam

A Kashmiri Muslim Stands next to the unburned torches outside the cave shrine of of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali.

Kashmiri Muslim villagers carrying torches walk on a mountain trail to reach the cave shrine.

Kashmiri Muslims hold the burning torches outside the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali.

Man hold the burning torches outside the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam

A Kashmiri muslim man watching the torches from the window of the shrine.

Kashmiri Muslims hold the burning torches outside the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali,

Kashmiri women pray during a torch light procession to celebrate the Festival of Lights on a hilltop near the shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam

(Cover Photograph: Children's hold the burning torches outside the cave shrine of Sakhi Zain-ud-din Wali, a Sufi saint, during an annual torch festival in Aishmuqam)