As part of its pilgrim tourism promotional programmes, the department of tourism Kashmir last night organized Zool Festival at Ashmuqam shrine of Sufi saint Baba Zaina-ud-din Wali in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Minister of State for Hajj and Auqaf, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi was present on the occasion.
The Zool Festival is a regular feature of the tourism department which portrays state’s rich culture and heritage. This event is aimed to promote religious tourism.
Pertinent to mention that the Annual Urs of Sheikh Zain-ud-din Wali (RA) marks the beginning of agricultural activities of the farmers in Anantnag district. Devotees from far off areas thronged the shrine to pay obeisance.
This shrine is located on a hillock, which stands 86 km away from Srinagar en route to Pahalgam.
The shrine hosts Zool festival every year in the month of April, in respect to Shiekh Zaina-ud-din Wali.
The procession involves holding torch lights locally called ‘leshi’ in a peculiar way, which depicts public seeking blessings of the saint.
The festival is traditionally held after evening prayers (Magrib Namaz) when torchlight procession is the main highlight of the festival. This festival is popularly known as ‘Zool’ festival and numerous numbers of devotees visit the shrine to celebrate it in a grand way.
