Reshi Pir, A Renowned Sufi Saint Of Kashmir And A Symbol Of Hindu Muslim Spiritual Unity

By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam 7 August 2025 Reshi Pir, a renowned Sufi saint of the Kashmir Valley, was also known as the abode of sages in Kashmir. He was born in the Ali Kadal locality of Srinagar, in the Battayar neighbourhood, as the son of Pandit Govind Kaul. Reshi Pir tirelessly worked for the welfare of people, regardless of caste or religion. This is why Kashmiris call him “Pir Pandit Badshah Hardu Jahan, Mushkil Kar Aasan,” meaning the emperor of both worlds who resolves all difficulties. During his spiritual journey, Reshi Pir meditated for 14 years and 6 months. His mother did not permit him to go to an ashram, so he meditated at home, surviving solely on milk, honey, and fruits. After this intense penance, he attained profound spiritual powers and performed numerous miracles. Hindus revered him as a Reshi, while Muslims venerated him as a Pir. People visited his home in Ali Kadal to seek solutions to their worldly problems, and he offered them guidance and resolutions. Reshi Pir performed many miracles. During the reign of Governor Iftikhar Khan, when a fire broke out in Srinagar affecting the Ali Kadal area, Reshi Pir used his spiritual powers to protect people. In another incident, when the emperor ordered his arrest, Reshi Pir miraculously appeared in the emperor’s court. Impressed by this, the emperor rescinded the arrest order and initiated the tradition of offering 14 Paise as a tribute, a practice still followed by the Kashmiri Pandit community. Spiritual and Intellectual Contributions Reshi Pir engaged in spiritual and intellectual discussions with Saint Rupa Bhawani and other scholars of his time. After his mother’s passing, he dedicated all his wealth to her memory and undertook another 14 years of rigorous meditation, consuming minimal food, which weakened his body. On another occasion, during a devastating fire in Ali Kadal under Governor Iftikhar Khan’s rule, Reshi Pir used his spiritual powers to save lives and property. In a famous incident, when the emperor ordered his arrest, Reshi Pir miraculously appeared in the court, leading the emperor to cancel the order and establish the 14 Paise tribute tradition, which remains prevalent among Kashmiri Pandits. After his mother’s death, Reshi Pir donated all his possessions in her memory and resumed 14 years of austere meditation, eating very little, which further weakened his body. He met people at his home, addressing their problems and emphasizing simplicity and devotion to God in his teachings. Reshi Pir’s teachings and actions symbolize Hindu-Muslim unity in Kashmir. People still visit his place in Ali Kadal to pray. His stories and miracles are an integral part of Kashmiri culture. His teachings, blending Sufi and Rishi traditions, reflect Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual identity, “Kashmiriyat.” They were simple, profound, and steeped in devotion. Though no written poetry is explicitly attributed to him, his oral teachings and sermons, delivered in a poetic style, touched people’s hearts, focusing on love, sacrifice, and the unity of God. Reshi Pir emphasized the unity of Hinduism and Islam, teaching that God is one and all religions lead to the same divine truth. He lived a simple life and inspired others to adopt simplicity and sacrifice. A poem reflecting his teachings and spiritual philosophy, rooted in love, unity, and simplicity, reads: A divine light resides in the heart, Reshi Pir’s sacred ecstasy. Hindu and Muslim are one, The temple of love, the abode of the heart. His influence is evident in Kashmiri Sufi and Rishi traditions, contemporary with saints like Lal Ded, Sheikh Nooruddin Noorani, and Rupa Bhawani. After his mother’s death, he donated his wealth in her memory and undertook another 14 years of austerity, consuming minimal food, which weakened his body. During a massive fire in Ali Kadal under Governor Iftikhar Khan, Reshi Pir’s spiritual powers saved lives and property, significantly contributing to his popularity. His greatest contribution was strengthening Kashmir’s cultural and spiritual identity, “Kashmiriyat,” with his teachings and actions fostering unity between Hindu and Muslim communities. His stories and miracles remain alive in Kashmiri folklore, and people continue to pray at his site. Reshi Pir, the revered Sufi-Rishi saint of the Kashmir Valley, passed away around the age of 60. A miraculous event associated with his death is famous in Kashmiri folklore. After his passing, a dispute arose between Hindus and Muslims over his last rites. The Hindu community wanted to cremate him according to their tradition, while the Muslim community advocated for burial, as they regarded him as a Sufi Pir. When the cloth covering his body was removed, his body was not found; instead, only 27 flowers were present. This miracle resolved the dispute and further established Reshi Pir’s spiritual greatness, symbolizing unity between the two communities. The tradition of offering 14 Paise as a tribute in Reshi Pir’s honour continues among the Kashmiri Pandit community, reminding people of his miracles and compassion. Despite the absence of a formal shrine, his spiritual presence lives on in Kashmiri folklore and traditions. His stories and teachings continue to embody the spirit of Kashmiriyat. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/reshi-pir-sufi-saint-kashmir-hindu-muslim-spiritual/d/136426 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism