Anantnag-The land of Springs

 

 

Anant means countless and Nag stands for spring in Kashmir.

Anantnag is rich in springs, all associated with the quaint old snake-worship. The people recognize the springs of great sanctity by the fact that their water is cold in the summer and warm in the winter, the curious legends are told of sporadic fountains and other phenomena. The springs are supplementary to the mountain streams in irrigation, and are sometimes the sole sources of water, as in the case of Achhabal, Verinag and Kokernag.  All these springs are full of sacred fish, a kind of carp. These springs have been developed into fascinating tourist places.

 

Achhabal

 

Perhaps the most beautiful of all springs is Achhabal, which gushes out of the Sosanwar hill, and was once enlisted by the Emperor Jehangir in the service of beauty and pleasure. It is said that the Breng River which disappears at Dewalgam in the fissures of the limestone is the real source of the Achhabal spring.

Achhabal, an important tourist spot is about 8 kilometers away from Anantnag. The place is famous and attractive due to an ancient spring surrounded by a garden terraced and developed by the Mughals. Achhabal was once the pleasure retreat of Empress Nur Jehan. The upper portion of the garden is called 'Bag-e-Begum Abad' developed by Empress Nur Jehan in 1620 AD and renowned as Sahib Abad in which there was a Hamam (treasure of water) getting heat from a logical lamp (Tosng). Cascades and fountains erected by Mughal Emperors enhance the beauty of the spot. A mosque standing in the garden is believed to have been constructed by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh. A trout hatchery is also located nearby.

 

 

 

Verinag

 

Verinag spring with deep blue waters is the life-giver to the Valley of Kashmir as it is the source of the most significant river, Jhelum. Jhelum is also known as Vitasta. According to an ancient legend in Nilmat Puran, the Jhelum or Vitasta represents Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. When Lord Shiva struck the ground at Verinag with his Trident, the river Vitasta gushed forth.

The Verinag spring is about 26 kilometers away from Anantnag. The wonderful and charming constructions of the spring as well as its adjacent garden compel the visitors to see it again and again. The construction of the banks of spring as well as its surroundings is of a rare shape. The Mughal Emperor Jehangir had it constructed and special skilled persons for carving were brought from Iran.  The construction date of the spring, 1629 A.D, is duly inscribed on a stone installed at the western gate of entry towards the spring.

 

Daksum

 

Located in the dense forests, this scenic spot falls on the Anantnag-Symthan-Kishtwar road. A gushing stream flows through Daksum which is rich in trout fish. It is a forest retreat circled by mountains. The surrounding forests are famous for fauna and flora. This famous tourist sport is in the south east of Anantnag town and is about a distance of 40 kilometers from district headquarters.

 

Kokernag

     

Kokernag is a collection of many small springs and their collective appearance resembles to the claws of a cock. Kokernag is the largest fresh water spring of Kashmir and its water has many curative and digestive properties. It is situated at a distance of about 17 Kms. from district headquarters of Anantnag.
The word Kokernag has been derived from the two words namely,      Koker and Nag. The word Koker has been taken from a Kashmiri word “Morgee” meaning chicken, while the word nag has been taken from Sanskrit word “Nag” meaning snake.

Regarding the name of Kokernag, there are different versions. According to a famous legend a saint (Gushwami) came from some unknown place to Kokernag, along with his bucket. During his rest, some women folk came from the nearby densely forested areas in search of water, but failed in their search. Ultimately they saw the saint in a deep sleep with his bucket in front of him. The women folk went towards him in order kill thirst with his water, but when they opened the lid of the bucket they found a snake in it which escaped and crept on the ground. As soon as it crept, its shape changed into a chicken called “Koker” in Kashmir, It dug the soil of the land by its paws and water gushed out from these places, wherever it dug. This is the reason due to which we call the place Kokernag today. Kokernag has some historical importance also. Kokernag has been mentioned in Ain-e-Akbari, where in it has been mentioned that the water of Kokernag satisfies both hunger and thirst as it is an excellent remedy for indigestion.

 

Nagbal

 

The entire complex is known popularly as Nagbal and is a famous Hindu religious center in Anantnag District. The spring rises beautifully from the foot of a small hill-lock and is dedicated to the worship of Ananta or Vishnu (as the formation of this holy spring is attributed to Lord Vishnu) - hence it is considered to be a Vedic ‘tirath’ or pilgrimage. It enjoys a commanding position having a big tank which encloses the spring. Lower down there is another tank with a temple in its center. There are long shady chinars which stand like guards round the tank. These tanks are full of sacred fish and the place also serves as shelter to many weary pilgrims who visit it from different places. The deity of Ananta or Lord Vishnu has been installed in a small temple just at the outlet of the spring. The Nagbal complex has other temples built in its premises too. The oldest among them is Lord Shiva temple. The idol of Lord Shiva has been installed in the reign of Maharaja Partap Singh somewhere in 1885 to 1925 A.D. There is also a sulphur spring in the Nagbal complex, which is visited by persons suffering from skin diseases. A Gurudwara has also been built in the same complex. Down this temple-cum spring complex is another tank with a large number of fish. A small garden popularly known as Sher Bagh surrounds this fish tank. A small mosque has also been built in the Sher Bagh.