Amidst preservation concerns, conservation work on shrine of Zainuddin Wali (RA) in full swing

Anantnag, July 26: A stone staircase in Aishmuqam, some 22 km from south Kashmir's Anantnag town, winds up a hill to the shrine of Sheikh Zainuddin Wali (RA) or Zaen Shah Saeb.

A knot of workers has been tirelessly working for the last two years for the conservation and restoration of the much-revered shrine.

Having earned the sobriquet of Zaine Sakhi for his generosity, Zainuddin Wali (RA) was one of the key disciples of Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani (RA).

The final resting place of the saint is a confluence of different faiths with devotees from different religions flocking to the shrine to pay their respects.

The shrine exhibits the finest Kashmir Rishi order architecture.

However, over the past few decades, heritage structures have been craving for attention.

In 2021, the Department of Culture rolled out a “scheme for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of architecture and heritage in Jammu and Kashmir”.

The main aim of the scheme included identifying the sacred places and heritage sites requiring intervention and carrying out revival, restoration, and renovation work.

A total of 35 projects – 18 in Jammu and 17 in Kashmir - including temples, shrines, gurudwaras, forts, churches, sculptures, and Bowli were approved under the scheme.

The renovation and restoration work on the shrine of Zainuddin Wali (RA) was taken up two years ago and a significant portion of the work has been completed.

“We have completed around 70 percent of the work,” said contractor, Mushtaq Renzu.

He said that currently, they were working on the canopy truss of the staircase.

However, the residents emphasised that efforts should be made to restore the original architecture and retain its aesthetic integrity.

“More than a decade ago, a heritage building locally known as Pache Dub was torn down,” said Sajad Ahmad, a resident.

He said that the structure served as a separate worship place for women.

The residents said that the local managing committee also renovated the Kahnakah while causing harm to its original architecture.

“After looking at the building, one could hardly say that it was a 500-year-old structure,” they said.

The residents suggested that ply boards affixed on the walls of the Khankah should be removed to restore its original glory.

Assistant Director, Department of Archives Archaeology and Museum, Mushtaq Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the key objective was to restore the original architecture and heritage.

“We will also restore the original architecture of the Khankah and other structures,” he said.