Anantnag Dec 22:- The shrine of Hazrat Saykh Zainuddin Wali( RA) is situated on the banks of Lidder River- about 2 kilometers away from famous world class hill resort in Pahalgam. Hazrat Zain ud din Wali (RA) who lived in the 15th century A.D. was one of the principal disciples of Sheikh Nur-ud-din. Sheikh Zain-uddin Wali( RA)who was known by the name of Zia Singh before his conversion was a prince and belonged to the ruling Rajas of Kishtwar. His father Yesh Singh, the then Kishtwar ruler, is said to have been assassinated when Zia Singh was only 13 years old. Baba Zain Ud din Reshi was born at Bounderkote Kishtwar. He belonged to a Rajput Hindu family and was earlier named as Zia Singh.

According to legend, that Zia Singh is believed to have been suffering from some incurable disease which took a serious turn leaving no prospect of recovery. Sheikh Nur-ud-din is said to have passed through Kishtwar just at that time and having heard of his miraculous performances, Zia Singh’s mother begged of the Sheikh to visit the patients and to pray for his recovery. The Sheikh agreed to pray on the understanding that Zia Singh would meet him in Kashmir after the recovered. Zia Singh did not however keep his promise and after sometime he was again confined to bed. His mother kept on crying day and night until she had a vision in which Zia Singh’smother promised that she would fulfill her obligation this time if her son would recover again. With the restoration of his normal health, Zia Singh proceeded to Kashmir to meet his benefactor.

Mother and the son undertook the hazardous journey from Kishtwar to Bumzua- a village about 8 miles south of Aishmuqam, where Sheikh Nur-ud-din was staying at that time. It was at this place that both Zia Singh and hismother embraced Islam under the guidance of Zain-ud-din and Zoon Ded respectively. Among the local inhabitants, legend has it that Zain-ud- din medicated for a long time in village Mandjan of Tehsil Sopore where he attained spiritual perfection, It was at this stage that Sheikh Nur-ud- din advised him to migrate to the cave at Aishmuqam and to meditate there for the remaining period of his life.

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