KASHMIR – On April 13, 2025, thousands of devotees converged at the revered shrine of Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali in Aishmuqam to mark the annual Mashaal Festival, locally known as Zool. This centuries-old tradition, held on the 13th day of Baisakh, commemorates the Urs of the 15th-century Sufi saint with a vibrant torchlight procession to the hilltop shrine.
As night fell, flaming torches illuminated the path for pilgrims ascending to pay homage to the saint’s spiritual legacy. The festival, symbolizing devotion and renewal, also marks the start of the agricultural season in Kashmir. Participants from diverse religious backgrounds joined the procession, showcasing the region’s enduring culture of communal harmony.
The Mashaal Festival not only honors Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali but also reinforces Kashmir’s rich Sufi traditions and cultural unity, drawing devotees and visitors to this sacred site year after year.
