10/08/2025
๐๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ง๐๐ฉ ๐๐๐๐ฃ ๐ช๐ ๐ฟ๐๐ฃ ๐๐๐ก๐ ๐.๐ผ!
This shrine in Lidder Valley is situated atop a 100 meters high hillock in Aishmuqam village of Anantnag district. The shrine is actually positioned in a deep cavern which is approached by a flight through the stairs. This place in Aishmuqam is very famous and revered for the Muslims as it belongs to Sheikh Zain-ud-Din Wali who was a disciple of one of the principal Reshi in Kashmir, Sheikh Nur-ud-din. Zain-ud-Din is
a famous saint of valley who was actually a Hindu Prince Zia Singh belonging to the princely state of Kishtwar. He lived in 15th century AD in this district.
Zain-ud-Din Wali converted into saint from a Hindu Prince at very young age. His father Yash Singh, the king of Kishtwar, passed away when the prince was just 13 years old. At the same time, Zia Singh also suffered from a severe disease with little chances of recuperating. During those days, Sheikh Nur-ud-din was passing through this region. He was a saint popular for his miraculous powers. When Ziaโs mother prayed to him for recovery of her son, he agreed to do so but with a condition that required Zia Singh to meet him in Kashmir after getting well. But Zia Singh did not keep his promise and he again became ill. This time, his mother was very anxious and she again promised the saint in her dream to meet him in Kashmir.
On recovery, both of them went on a challenging journey from Kishtwar to Bumzua to meet Sheikh Nur-ud-Din. On reaching there, they
embraced Islam and Zia Singh was christened as Zain-ud-Din Wali. Later, he attained spiritual perfection at Mandjan village of Sopore Tehsil
and then came to this cave in Aishmuqam when he was advised so by his spiritual teacher. It is said that the entrance of this cave was full of
snakes and reptiles but the moment; saint Zain-ud-Din kept his club received from his teacher, Sheikh Nur-ud-din, on the floor, those snakes
just moved away from that place. Sheikh meditated in this cavern for decades and it became his eternal abode thus.