Zool festival of Aishmuqam: Timeless celebration of light, faith and triumph of good

Aishmuqam, Apr 12: As the morning sun lit up the Lidder valley in South Kashmir, the quaint village of Aishmuqam began to buzz with quiet excitement. Sajad Sofi, 40, along with his companions, started the sacred walk towards the shrine of Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA), a respected 15th-century Sufi saint and follower of the great Kashmiri mystic, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA). This climb marks the beginning of Zool, an ancient and deeply spiritual festival of light. The main event is a torch procession, full of meaning and love that has been passed down through generations. “For me, Zool is not just a custom,” says Sofi, pausing during preparations. “It’s a spiritual journey. I have been part of it since I was a child, and every year it brings me closer to my roots.”

As evening approaches, the people of Aishmuqam warmly welcome devotees from across Kashmir and even other parts of India irrespective of religion, caste, color, creed or gender. “We clean the shrine and the vicinity, cook food, and open our homes to everyone,” Sofi says. “Zool is about unity- about coming together in faith and love.”

More than just a celebration, Zool is a symbol of kindness, sacrifice, and the victory of good over evil. “It shows that truth always wins, and peace will always shine through,” he adds.

One of the torchbearers is 70-year-old Jallaldin Saka, who has carried the flame for over fifty years. “We treat every visitor like family,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if you are a stranger -we welcome all with open arms.” Before the festival begins, the locals don’t eat or sell meat for three days. This is a way of spiritually preparing for the holy night. The torches, called Mashals, are made from special wood collected from nearby forests.

Each flame represents the light that lives inside every person. This year, Abdul Gani, 65 and his wife came all the way from Mumbai to witness Zool. “We had only heard stories about it, but being here feels like living in a legend,” Gani says, touched by the beauty, warmth and hospitality  of the people. The shrine of Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA), about 20 kilometers before the famous hill resort of Pahalgam, stands on a hilltop surrounded by blooming mustard fields. The shrine is open to all- Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Christians-anyone looking for peace, healing, or hope. What makes Zool truly special is the old story behind it, passed down like a sacred tale. Long ago, during the rule of a king named Ashushah Badshah, a terrible demon scared the people of Aishmuqam. The villagers were so afraid that they agreed to feed the demon every day, even offering their lives one by one.

One day, it was the turn of Bumisad-a brave young Gujjar boy who was to be married that day. But instead of running away, he faced the demon with courage. He ate from the demon’s food and boldly said, “Whatever I eat will reach you anyway.” Angered by this, the demon-who had turned into a giant snake called Shahmar-fought Bumisad for seven days and nights. In the end, Bumisad defeated the demon and freed the village from fear.  The people were so thankful that they lit torches and held a grand celebration. That fire of hope and bravery continues to burn each year during the Zool festival, reminding everyone of faith, unity, and light. As the sun sets behind the mountains, thousands of people gather with burning torches. Children, elders, men, and women walk together in the glowing light.

“Zool is more than just a festival-it is a journey of belief. A memory of the past, a celebration of the divine light that lives in us all,” says Muhamad Shaban, one of the devotees who has come from Charar-i-Sharief area of central Kashmir's Budgam district.