Diplomat Special Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD)Nestled in the picturesque hills of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, the town of Ashmuqam came alive Saturday evening, with a spectacle of light, devotion, and tradition—the “Zool Festival”. This centuries-old celebration, steeped in mysticism and spiritual reverence, draws thousands of devotees and curious visitors who gather to honour the legacy of the revered Sufi saint, Baba Zaina-ud-din Wali, fondly known as Zain Shah Sahib.
A Tradition Illuminated
The festival, observed on the 13th day of the Islamic month of Rajab, transforms the sleepy shrine town into a vibrant centre of faith. As dusk falls, flickering torches—zoole—are lit by devotees, illuminating the winding path up to the shrine perched on the hillside. The flames, carried by young and old alike, symbolise spiritual light triumphing over darkness and ignorance.
Local elders say the tradition began over 400 years ago to commemorate a miraculous event in the saint’s life, when, according to legend, a divine light appeared at the site. Since then, every year, the faithful retrace his path, carrying flaming torches in a gesture of devotion and remembrance.
Pilgrimage and Prayer
Pilgrims begin arriving days in advance. Makeshift stalls selling sweets, floral garlands, and clay lamps line the narrow streets. The air resonates with Sufi chants and verses, while smoke from incense coils skyward in aromatic spirals.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a child,” says Mohammad Shafi, a retired teacher from Bijbehara. “Lighting the torch feels like passing on a spiritual legacy—one that connects us to our ancestors and our faith.”
For many, the journey to the shrine is one of both physical endurance and spiritual elevation. Children wrapped in woollen shawls walk beside their parents, carrying small torches. Youth volunteers guide the crowds, ensuring safety and offering tea along the route.
Faith Meets Festivity
The Zool Festival is more than a religious observance; it is a celebration of community and culture. Folk songs dedicated to Zain Shah Sahib echo from loudspeakers, and Sufi musicians perform traditional naats and manqabat in the shrine courtyard. Food stalls offer steaming kahwa and traditional breads, creating an atmosphere of warmth and welcome.
“Ashmuqam becomes a different world during Zool,” says Rukhsana Bano, a college student who visits the festival each year with her friends. “There’s a sense of unity and peace here—people from all walks of life come together.”
Preserving the Spirit
In recent years, local authorities, religious committees, and volunteers have worked to maintain the sanctity of the festival while also ensuring crowd control and environmental preservation. Efforts include discouraging plastic use, promoting bio-degradable torches, and increasing accessibility for the elderly and differently-abled pilgrims.
“Zool is not just about ritual,” says Peer Abdul Rashid, one of the shrine custodians. “It’s about remembering the values Baba Zain Shah Sahib taught—peace, humility, service, and love for all.”
A Living Heritage
As night deepens and torches flicker against the starlit sky, the chants grow softer, more meditative. For a few sacred hours, the world outside fades, and Ashmuqam becomes a haven of collective memory and spiritual light.
In an age often dominated by division and distraction, the Zool Festival continues to remind Kashmiris—and all who attend—that some flames, once kindled in devotion, never go out.(DD)
