BEST TIME TO VISIT
JAN - DEC
IDEAL DURATION
1 Day
Located at the foothill of picturesque Pir Panjal mountain range, Verinag is a major tourist attraction in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. It is situated 26 km south of Anantnag and 78 km from Srinagar. It lies just below the entry point of Kashmir Valley after crossing Jawahar Tunnel. With an average elevation of 1,851 m (6,076 ft), Verinag is famous for its spring and a garden. There is an octagonal stone basin at Verinag Spring and an arcade surrounding it which was built by Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1620 A.D. Next to this spring, a beautiful garden was laid out by his son Shah Jahan. This spring is also the major source of river Jhelum that flows through the entire Valley from south to north before crossing over to Pakistan. The water contained in the octagonal spring has crystal blue water teeming with fish. Verinag Spring and Mughal Arcade surrounding it is officially recognized by Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance. It is considered as the best picnic spot in south Kashmir for its being easily accessible by road transport. The garden is open for visitors round the year. However, to be here in the spring, summer and autumn has its own charm. With every season the garden changes colours as the seasonal flowers, bedecking its flower beds changes and so does the ambience and the hues. Likewise, the majestic Chinar trees turn red in the autumn, lending a riot of colour to the landscape. Verinag spring has a big market starting just from its gates.
One has always heard that heavens have pristine lakes, enchanting garden… so does Kashmir. Be it Nishant Garden or the Tulip Garden, Shalimar Bagh or Charari Shareef, the exemplary landscape and built over fine taste and choice, all of these gardens are the ideal places for nature lovers.
