Set on a hillock, Ziarat Hazrat Zain-ud-din Wali is a mosque in
Aishmuqam village of
Anantnag District. It is inside a deep cave atop the hill about 100 m high from the main road. The mausoleum can be reached by a flight of stone steps.
This mausoleum of Sheikh Zain-ud-din is famous in all parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Zain-ud-din, who lived in the 15th century, was one of the principal disciples of Sheikh Nur-ud-din. There are two mosques attached to the shrine. The Khankah is preserved in the mausoleum which is not only used for prayers but also is a repository of the relics of the saint. It consists of a bow, a patten, wooden bread, a rosary, a wooden club and a copy of the Quran.
The shrine attracts thousands of people from all parts of the valley every year. The death anniversary of the saint is observed during the 13th day of Basakh, which corresponds to the 25th of April. Congregational prayers are held which are attended by thousands of devotees. Evidences reveal that this festival dates back to about 2000 years and continues to be celebrated from pre-Islamic times. The shrine is open to all without any restriction to persons of either sex and of any community.
Zain-ud-Din Wali can be approached on the Anantnag - Pahalgam road. It is about 20 km from Pahalgam. The nearest airport is at Srinagar - the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir.
