Sameer Ahmad
Anantnag: Centuries old tradition of burning Mashals popularly known as ‘Zool’ was observed today with zeal and reverence in the historical shrine of Hazrat Zanu-din Wali (RA) here in Ashmuqam area of this south Kashmir district.
According to reports, as the dusk approached, people in large numbers, gathered in Ashmuqam and they later took out the Mashall procession.
The shrine is situated on a hillock and on Friday thousands of devotees thronged it.
According to the inhabitants, the festival continues to be celebrated from pre-Islamic times and dates back to about 2,000 years. Locals said there is an interesting story behind the tradition of burning Mashals every year on this day.
They said during the rule of Ashushah Badshah in Aishmuqam many centuries ago, a demon had terrified the villagers. Then one day the villagers approached the demon and requested him to eat them one by one by their turn. Demon agreed but in turn the villagers were supposed to provide him bread each day. When it was the turn of a young orphan Gujjar boy named Bumisad, supposed to get married on the same day, the things took a U-turn. The boy challenged the demon and asked him to fight with him. The fight continued for a week and one night and the villagers were overjoyed to learn that Bumisad has killed the demon and took out a Mashaal procession. Since that day the tradition is observed with fervour. It is one of the important festivals and people from across the valley throng the shrine.
Meanwhile clashes erupt between youth and government forces at Ashmuqam. Reports said as the devotees were observing ‘Zool’, clashes erupt between youth and the forces in area and were going on when last reports came in.
