KOKERNAG
Location
: 79-km From Srinagar, Kashmir
Also Known As: Papashudan Nad Or
Sin-Cleansing Springs
Altitude: 20,12m
Houses: A Botanical Garden And A Rose
Garden
The great Mughal historian, Abul Fazi, has chronicled for posterity the
benefits of the sweet water spring of Kokernag. This beneficent gift of
nature is still regarded as having extraordinary healing powers and the
sick are brought here for treatment by its waters, and solitude.
Kokernag is also known therefore, and most aptly, as "Papashudan
Nag" or Sin-Cleansing Spring.
A Picturesque Location
Kokernag, which lies 79-km from Srinagar has as it's setting at an
altitude of 20,12 meters, a botanical and rose garden, where a myriad
varieties of flowers and shrubs perfume the air. The spring gushes out
of the base of a thickly wooded hill from where it separates into
channels, which bear an uncanny resemblance to the claw-foot of a hen,
hence its name.
Kokernag, whether it is to drink of its curative waters or breathe in
the fragrance and quiet beauty of its gardens, remains one of the
loveliest of all the springs in this verdant valley.
Accommodation is available at well furnished cottages and rooms at
reasonable rates. Easily accessible excursions can also be made to
Daksum, Achhabai, and Verinag
VERINAG
Location : Kothar District, 78-km South
East Of Srinagar Via Anantnag, Kashmir
Named After: Nila Nag, Son Of Kashyap Rishi
Rebuilt In: 1620 By Emperor Jahangir
One of the largest springs in India, Verinag, which lies in the
Kothar district, is 78-km southeast of Srinagar via Anantnag, and is
easily accessible through a bypass from the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Named after "Nila Nag", the son of the wise saint, "Kashyap
Rishi" who reclaimed the Kashmir valley, the original shape of this
spring was in the circular from of a 'Kund' in 1620 the Emperor Jahangir
had the shape changed into the traditional Mughal octagonal. The spring,
which has a circumference of 80m, is enclosed today by a brick wall
under which are vaults.
The Imperial Touch
These lake-like waters have a limpid clarity in which the verdant
surroundings of pine trees are mirrored. Fish swim in the cool depths
and this picturesque setting that so captivated the Mughal emperors has
lost none of its pastoral charm over the centuries. The lawns around the
spring are a beautifully manicured green, and backs of massed flowers
add splashes of colour to this symphony of greens and browns.
A Holy Shrine
A Shaivite shrine just outside the complex draws pilgrims every year,
who come for a ritual dip in the spring on type first day of the year
according to the lunar Hindu calendar.
Veruvurthur
Some 2-km away is Veravurthur supposed to be the source of the Jhelum.
The waters of the many nearby springs, called collectively, Sapta Rishi,
have their confluence at Sangam where people bathe on festival days. The
birth of the river is celebrated annually with a fair.
This complex has well-appointed rooms, for which advance booking is
necessary.
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