Babareshi Shrine located in Baramulla district is a famous religious place, very revered for Kashmiris in many aspects ranging from ceremonial tonsuring to a preferred picnic spot. It symbolises the religious and cultural essence of Kashmir valley.
The Shrine, situated approximately 35 kilometers from Srinagar is a three-storey monument nestled at an altitude of about 7,000 feet. Enveloped by lush green meadows, it exudes a mesmerizing charm.
Culturally and locally, the place boasts a myriad of rich aspects, making it a preferred destination not only for locals but also for non-locals who flock to the shrine to explore its offerings. Drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, it holds allure for both its religious sanctity and historical importance.
Ceremonial tonsuring:
People from various regions of Kashmir visit the shrine to partake in the ceremonial tonsuring ritual, firmly believing in the special spiritual energy imbued within these sacred sites. They seek blessings for their children from the revered Sufi saints.
When visiting the Babareshi shrine, one will notice a special building located at the extreme left side designated for the ceremonial tonsuring ritual of newborn babies when they reach the age of two or three months.
One can hear the cries that echo in the building with people waiting in queues with their babies for their turn. Cries and celebrations are making the ceremonial tonsuring an emotional moment for the families coming to the shrine from different parts of Kashmir.
“This practice has been followed for a long time. Once a child is born, we plan to take them to the Shrine for ceremonial tonsuring. Some people do the tonsuring ritual differently: they first cut the hair at one place and another at a different place,” said Saima, from Srinagar, who visits the place every year.
Bustling market around the shrine:
There is a good square-shaped market near the shrine having multi storied shops selling balloons, toys, crockery, pottery utensils and several small eateries and tea stalls.
Javid Ahmad, a local shopkeeper said the market witnesses huge rush these days. He said both local and non-local tourists visit there to have a look at the old market.
“This market holds both local and cultural significance. Many schools organize local picnics here. I have been working here for a long time, and our connection to this place dates back to our childhood. It’s a bond that will endure,” he said.
The tomb is named after Baba Payam Ud-Din Reshi (RA) who was born in 1441 CE, to a nobleman, a minister of the contemporary ruler at Chander-nau-gaon in Lar which is near the Ganderbal town of today. Payamuddin himself was a minister and a trusted man of Zain ul Abidin (Budshah) the 8th Sultan of Kashmir.
Earthenware Chula:
Baba Reshi also built a kitchen with a Daan (typical Kashmiri earthenware Chula) for cooking food in earthenware vessels. People from all over the valley used to go there and plaster the daan and offer sacrifices and cook food.
It is believed that childless couples are blessed with a progeny after praying there. This was distributed to Langar (free eating place for the public) for people visiting the place. This practice is still followed. The community kitchen has two sections, one for men and another for women.
“From poor to rich, everyone shares their meals together. This community kitchen has not stopped. It will continue to serve the people,” said an employee who works at the Langar.
In addition, people also go to the shrine to tie knots inside the shrine around the sanctum sanctorum (Dashei in Kashmiri) and make a wish, which believers say is always granted.
The shrine on Baramulla-Gulmarg road is not a cultural and historical hub but a place for employment for hundreds of youth hailing from nearby Tangmarg and Kandi areas.
Paratha Halwa:
Babareshi market is also known for its delicious Paratha Halwa (soft fried roti’s that are standalone winners. Dunk it in salty nun chai or the sugar-sweet chai, it tastes equally good). Tastier with sweet suji ka halwa paste, this combo is a treat in itself.
“Paratha Halwa is rich in taste and has its own significance among Kashmiri people. Each day people buy Paratha Halwa for evening nun chai which has its own flavour,” said Mudasir Ahmad, a shopkeeper.
“We have been running this shop for the past three decades. It was started by our grandfather who was a disciple of Babareshi. It is a peaceful place and people from every community come here,” he said.
The place is also known for its Kulcha recipe (bread). The Kulcha recipe is unique in taste and people love to take it home.
The market is also rich for potato fries (Alu Monj) which are unique in taste and are famous locally. Visitors and tourists, who visit the shrine and who come back from Gulmarg via Babareshi road often stop here and taste the potato fries.
Notably, at Babareshi, there are low cost night stay facilities available. There are wooden huts that have been constructed by Waqaf Board and remain busy especially during peak season.
Moreover, when people visit the shrine, they often come in groups comprising their entire families, neighbors, and relatives, fostering a sense of community and providing an opportunity for gatherings at a singular location.
The shrine was built in 1480, in Mughal and Persian style. The shrine and its surrounding gardens are a tourist attraction as well as a destination for pilgrims visiting the shrine.
Baba Reshi was born in 1441 CE, to a nobleman, a minister of the contemporary ruler at Chander-nau-gaon in Lar which is near the Ganderbal town of today. Payamuddin himself was a minister and a trusted man of Zain ul Abidin (Budshah) the 8th Sultan of Kashmir.
Although beginning his life as a trusted minister of Budshah Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidin, he spent the major part of the life serving people and spreading the message of love and purity of heart through Quranic verses and helping people in a place near Tangmarg en route to Gulmarg.
The shrine is a very popular pilgrimage for people, who come to seek blessings here. Being a scenic place in proximity to Gulmarg, the trip is often combined with a picnic.
On Sep. 02, 1989, the 300-year-old Baba Reshi shrine was gutted in a fire under mysterious circumstances. The place known as daan that Baba Reshi built in the village, Ramboh went ablaze and caused severe damage to several buildings.
