Kashimiriyat is a term which describes the century’s old tradition of blending the indigenous cultures living harmoniously for centuries in the valley. Mutual respect for different religions is the hallmark of it. This paradise on earth, owes a lot of its charm to the traditions set in practice by the Rishis.
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din, popularly known as Nund Rishi was one of the first Sufi saints who along with the Shaivite yogini Lal Ded denounced the orthodox religious practices and contributed immensely towards it. The teachings of Nund Rishi affectionately also called “Alamdar-e-Kashmir” spread systematically all around the valley. The word Rishi, however, always refers to Payam Uddin Baba Rishi who was a disciple of Baba Zain ud Din who had finally settled down in Aishmuqam on way to the picturesque Pahalgam.
The teachings of these Sufis and Rishis in the form of verses from the holy Quran has also contributed significantly to the spread of Islam in Kashmir. Baba Rishi’s abode is located 8 kilometres from Tangmarg (meadow of pears) a town 38 kms from Srinagar. The place comes as a detour on the road to Gulmarg.
It is the well-known Sufi shrine of Baba Payam Uddin Rishi. Baba Rishi was born in 1441 CE to a nobleman, a minister of the contemporary ruler at Chander-nau-gaon in the region of Lar which is near the Ganderbal town of today. Payam Ud Din himself was a minister and a trusted man of Zain ul Abidin (Budshah) the 8 Sultan of Kashmir.
Initially he lived an easy lif.
