Verinag

Verinag

Verinag spring lies in the town Verinag. The place is about 26 kms away from Anantnag and approximately 78 kms south-east from Srinagar. Verinag is also the first tourist spot when travelling by road from Jammu. Verinag Spring is the source of the Jhelum (Vitasta) river. The spring Verinag derives its name from two Sanskrit words ‘virah’ which means ‘to go back’ and ‘nag’ means ‘spring’. According to a legend, Goddess Vitasta wanted to originate from this place but when she saw Lord Shiva staying at this she decided to go back. Hence the place got its name as Vitasta had to go back from this place. Verinag Spring was originally shapeless with water spreading out from different directions. In 1620 A.D. Jahangir built an octagonal tank of sculptured stones around it so that water could be collected in this tank. Seven years later, Shah Jahan, the son of Jahangir, who was equally enamoured of the natural world, built aqueducts and cascades in straight lines through and around the exquisite garden that he had laid out in front of the spring to further accentuate its beauty. Mughal Garden of Verinag covers around 5.30 hectares of land. The garden with its immaculately groomed lawns, flower beds, massive chinar trees, and gushing spring and lush green forest, captivates tourists.