Anantnag which is also called “Islamabad” by locals, is the gateway of Kashmir as people from rest of the country can access the beautiful valley of Kashmir mainly through Anantnag (Qazigund). Fifty Five kilometers south of Srinagar Capital, ‘Anantnag’ is located on the banks of Jehlum River and surrounded by scenic mountains in South Kashmir. After Srinagar And Jammu, it is the third largest city in Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, which also serves as headqaurter of South Kashmir. It claims the largest number of streams in Jammu & Kashmir
Anantnag Or Islamabad ?
This town is being called by both names “Anantnag and Islamabad”. Locals prefer to call it by ‘Islamabad’ (which means “City Of Islam”) because of it’s two reason, firstly the meaning of Islamabad is connected with the Islam secondly this name was believed to be adopted by a Muslim Mughal Governor while Non Locals prefer to call it by ‘Anantnag’ which is dervieved from “Anantnaga”( Land Of Countless Springs). Subsequently, this name was derived from the spring flowing from the southern end in this town.
The name changing process from “Islamabad to Anantnag” was done by Gulab Singh who succeeded Mughals. Also ‘Anantnag’ is now the official name of this Southern District of Jammu & Kashmir.
History Of Anantnag:
When the muslims had not ascended in Kashmir, this region was divided into three different divisions:-
(I) Yamraj — Now Central Kashmir
(II) Maraj — Now South Kashmir
(III) Kamraj- Now North Kashmir
Lately in 1800’s, these divisons were further bifurcated. The ancient history of ‘Anantnag’ can be found in the historical places like “Martand Sun Temple” which is situated few kilometers away from this town. This also reveals that in ancient history of Kashmir there were only Non Muslims living in this region.
With the Birth of Muslims in Kashmir Region, a lot of changes were seen. It was during the period of Mughals when the Kashmir has seen its Architectural Marvels. In ‘Anantnag’ Mughals has also erected these Architectural Marvels as “Mughal Garden of Achabal And Verinag”. These Mughal Gardens are known for their Splendours throug out the world till this date.
Before the beginnig of twenth century ‘Anantnag’ District was declared as Muncipal Council of Anantnag (MCA). Since then the town has shown enormous progression in development, agriculture, trade etc.
Wonderlands Of Anantnag
Tourist Places:
(I)Pahalgam: Pahalagam which is also called the “Town Of Sheperds” is a famous hill station and tourist place in Kashmir. Pahalgam is picturesque town located in ‘Anantnag’ District of South Kashmir. It is nearly foruty kilometers away from the main town of ‘Anantnag’. A fomus river passing through the meadows of Pahalgam is known as “Lidder River”. Known for its beauty, Pahalgam has many tourist places like Aru ,Baisaran, Beetab Valleys, Chandanwari, Tulain Lake, Sheshnah, Amarnath Cave & Temple, Golf Course, Wildlife Sanctuary etc.
(II)Kokernag: Kokernag is situated about 25 Km away from the main town of ‘Anantnag’ District. It is a Sub District Town and its known for it’s Gardens,Fresh Water Spring’s and Trout Fish. Kokernag has the largest Water Spring in Kashmir. This place is blessed with amazing natural beauty, for which a lot of tourists hit to this place every season. This place has glorified with Botanical Garden and Rose Garden. Few Kilometeres away from sub district Kokernag a dense forest covered with lofty mountains is another hotspot for tourists. This place is known as “Daksum”. This place lies between the Anantnag-Sinthan Road. The surroudings of Daksum are rich in varities of flora and fauna. The top of the Kokernag Mountains is known as “Sinthan Top/Cross”. This cross connects the Anantnag with Kishtiwar District. Its 3800m above sea level and mostly covered with snow. This place is also known for its beauty and and ashtonishing view.
(III)Achabal: Achabal also known as “Achival” is 7 KM away from the district headquarter ‘Anantnag’. It’s also an important tourist place in Kashmir. It is famous for its Gardens made by the Mughal Empires in Early Centuries. Springs and Waterflows flowing through these Mughal Gardens makes it more alluring.
(IV)Verinag: Verinag also known as “Veernaag” is a town named after famous Spring. It is almost 25Km away from ‘Anantnag’ District loacted at the foothills of Banihal Mountains. This place fascinated the tourists with Water Spring and Mughal Garden. The vital attraction of tourists of this town is Verinag Spring. A Mughal Garden namely “Verinag Mughal Garden” was built by Jehangir next to this natural Spring. Verinag Spring has a great importance with a scenic beauty of deep blue water oozing out from the bottom. Notably Verinag Spring is main source of “River Jehlum”.
Religious Places:
(I)Shrine of Hazrat Baba Hyder Reshi: It is also known as “Reshi Mol Soub”, situated in the Heart of Anantnag Town (Reshi Bazar). The grave of Hazrat Baba Hyder Reshi present in this shrine. He has perfomed great revelation in his early age. He was great Muslim scholar and saint. Muslim devotees from different parts of Kashmir Valley often visit here. Apart from taking blessings this place is drawing attention of various tourists due to it’s beautiful architecture. Beside the main shrine, there is a spring and a large mosque for prayer. This mosque is known as “Jamia Masjid of Islamabad (Anantnag)”. On his anniversary local people of the area refrain themselves from flesh eating for five days.
(II)Shrine of Hazrat Zain-Ud-Wali: This Muslim Shrine is loacted at a hill rock locally known as Aishmuqam Shrine, nearly 25Km away from the main town of ‘Anantnag’. This shrine was reserved in ambience of Hazrat Zain-Ud-Din, who was a great disciple of Reshi in Kashmir Valley. This shrine falls in the enroute of Anantnag-Pahalgam which is about 100 meteres away from this main road which can be accessed by car through newly constructed road or by foot through stone stair’s. Ashimuqam Shirne is one the most prominent religious and tourist spot of ‘Anantnag’. This place is well known in all over Kashmir due to this Shrine. This shrine is considered as most prominent shrine of Kashmir. This shrine is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists during whole year especially during the Annual Urs and Zool Festival.
(III)Martand Sun Temple: It is also known as “Pando Lari”. It lies at a diatance of 9Km from the main city of ‘Anantnag’. It is Hindu Temple dedicated to Surya, built during the period of 8th and 9th century. It’s one of the most elegant structure made by Hindu’s in Kashmir. This temple has been made up of big, huge and strong rocks of limestone. The construction style of this temple is rare and quite amazing. Later, this temple was destroyed by Muslim leaders. The wrecked state of this temple is still breathtaking and fascinating that it pulls the tourists to come over here. This temple is soo good looking that some legendary project and some shots of Bollywood Movies were captured here. This temple comes under the “Archaeological Survey Of India”.
(IV)Amarnath Cave & Temple: The holy shrine of Amarnath Temple is situated at the upper reaches of Pahalgam, which is nealry about 65Km’s away from ‘Anantnag’ Town. It is located at an altitude of about 13000 ft. from the sea level. Because of the high altitude this cave is mostly covered with snow due to which it’s open for public for a short span of time (June-August). This a holy place for Hindus. Inside the cave there is a Shiv Lingam (Ice Pillar) which is a symbol of Lord Shiva. The people from various parts of country visit here through a religious pilgrimage known as Amarnath Yatra. The scenes around this cave are quite astonishing.
(V)Mattan & Sherbagh Gurduwara: The Mattan Gurdawara is also known as “Guru Nanak Dev. This Gurduwara is loacted at Mattan area of ‘Anantnag’ District, nearly 8Km away from District Headquarters ‘Anantnag’. It was built during Maharaja Rinjit Singhs period. This shrine is oftenly visited by local Sikhs as well as tourists passing through this route as this Gurduwara falls in the Anantnag-Pahalgam route.
Sherbagh Gurduwara is located in the old town of ‘Anantnag’ district in the foothills of a small mountain. A small temple is also located near this Gurduwara. Both of the temple and gurdwara is located inside a CRPF camp. A small spring is running through this place makes it more pleasant. A lot of devotees visit these two holy places as it falls in the heart of ‘Anantnag’ Town.
(VI)Pehli Padshahi Bijbehara: It is also known as Guru Nanik Sahib Bijbehara. It is loacted in the main town Bijbehara near the Bijbehara bridge, 9KM away from the main town of ‘Anantnag’. This place has deep spiritual and historical significance.
(VII)Chapel of John Bishop: This is a holy place of Christians, located in the the Premises of John Bishop Memorial Hospital Sarnal ‘Anantnag’. This hospital is one of oldest medical facilities in South Kashmir. This small chapel is located in the main town of ‘Anantnag’ District. It was established in late nineteenth century for christians residing in district ‘Anantnag’. This is one of the old & only Chapel/Church in ‘Anantnag’ District of South Kashmir.
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
(I)Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary: This sanctuary lies in the Lidder Forest Divison of ‘Anantnag’. It is located at Aru Valley Of Pahalgam, which is nearly 55KM away from the main town of ‘Anantnag’. This 400sq Km sanctuary is enriched with a lot of varities of Flora and Fauna. This sancutary is a favourite destinations for a lot of people.
(II)Daksum and Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary: Daksum Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as” Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary”. It is a protected area, located 43Km away from ‘Anantnag’ Town. This sanctuary is found of some confined varities of Flora (Deodar & Pine Tree) and Fauna(Hangul,Himalayan Black Beer & Musk Deer)
Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Achabal area of ‘Anantnag’ District. Till 2008 it was designated as Achabal Conservation Reserve. This sanctuary is a housing of prominent & endagered species.
Conclusion:
The ‘Anantnag District is predominantly rich in Mountains, Natural Springs, Mughal Gardens, Religous Places. The hospitality provided by the locals of this district is famous throughout the Kashmir Valley. Pertinently a blog Written by Antarik Anwesan (Non Local) on Hospilality of Anantnag (A Touch Of Kashmiri Hospitality) where you can find a lot about the hospitality of Kashmir especially in ‘Anantnag’ District. Most commonly famous for its’s tourist and religous spots ‘Anantnag’ is the perfect destination for all travellers seeking to recieve a warm welcome and engross themselves in the local culture of Kashmir Valley!
With Inputs From Various Sources Of Internet
Author is an Intermediate Student and can be contacted Through Email: (Mukaramwani17@gmail.com), Facebook (Mukaram Wani) & Twitter (Mukaram Wani).