The Rishi order is a religious tradition, concept for the mystical teaching or spiritual practices associated with religious harmony of Sufism in the Kashmir Valley. The Sufi saints of the Rishi order influenced Kashmiris and its culture. The prominent Rishis of the valley include Resh Mir Sàeb and Nund Rishi, also known as Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali. The Rishi order has made an important contribution to Kashmiriyat, the ethnic, national, social and cultural consciousness of the Kashmiri people, as well as a distinctive contribution to global Islam.

The 17th-century poet Baba Nasib sums up the impact of the Rishi order thus: "The candle of religion is lit by the Rishis, they are the pioneers of the path of belief. The heart-warming quality of humble souls emanates from the inner purity of the hearts of the Rishis. This vale of Kashmir, that you call a paradise, owes a lot of its charm to the traditions set in vogue by the Rishis."

The original Rishi Sufis were focused on seclusion and emphasis on meditation. They were ascetics involved in the abstinence from worldly pleasure. In his memoirs, Jahangir says that "they possess simplicity and are without pretence. They abuse no one. They restrain the tongue of desire and the foot of seeking. They eat no flesh, they have no wives and always plant fruit bearing trees in the fields so that men may benefit by them, themselves desiring no advantage. There are about 2,000 of these people."

In recent years, the history of the Rishi order has attracted interest from scholars such as Mohammad Ishaq Khan.

Nund Rishi was one of the founding figures of the Rishi order known by names like Sheikh Ul-Alam (Spiritual Master of the World) and Alamdar-e-Kashmir (flag bearer of Kashmir), he integrated parts of other traditions like the non-dual school Kashmir Shaivism, also known as Trika Shaivism and elements of Buddhism into Sufism and created The Rishi order. His poems are at the center of the Rishi Movement and his philosophy of love, compassion and simplicity are at the centre of this Sufi order.

Baba Bamuddin Rishi (d. 1440 A.D) was a prominent Sufi saint and the first khalifa (spiritual successor) of The Rishi order and Nund Rishi, the founder of the Rishi order in Kashmir. Born as Bama Sadhi in a Hindu Brahmin family in Bamzu, near Matan in Anantnag district, Baba Bamuddin Rishi was initially a priest dedicated to idol worship. His life took a transformative turn upon meeting Nund Rishi, who guided him towards monotheism and the rejection of idol worship. Impressed by the Sheikh's wisdom and spiritual insight, Bama Sadhi embraced Islam and was renamed Baba Bamuddin Rishi.

The elders of the Rishi Movement after heir consultations appointed Saint Baba Bam-ud-Din (RA), as their first vicegerent (deputy) just after the death of their greatest Mentor (RA). He, while in Bumzoo (Mattan) as his sub-centre managed the whole affairs of the organization.

Sakhi Zain al-Din Wali was one of the main disciples of Nund Rishi who meditated in Aishmuquam by the orders of Nund Rishi. He was the second spiritual successor of Nund Rishi and The Rishi order after Baba Bamuddin Rishi. Zayn al-Abidin the Great had exiled Sakhi Zain al-Din Wali to Tibet but was later welcomed back by Zayn al-Abidin the Great on the advice of Haji Adham. Sakhi Zain al-Din Wali was a Hindu Rajput prince but Nund Rishi converted Zain al-din to Islam. After becoming Muslim, he led a simple life in Aishmuquam and was known for his generosity. He is considered one of the most prominent Sufi in the fold of the Rishi order.