Verinag is a deep octagonal spring in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, long regarded as the chief source of the Jhelum river. The spring sits inside an arcaded stone tank with a Mughal garden begun under Emperor Jahangir in 1620 and extended by Shah Jahan. It is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a monument of national importance.
Verinag is a spring-fed Mughal heritage site in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, about 75–80 km south-east of Srinagar near the Jawahar Tunnel. An octagonal stone tank encloses the clear blue spring, which is widely considered the main source of the Jhelum river.
Key takeaways
- Verinag lies in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, roughly 26 km from Anantnag town and about 78 km south-east of Srinagar, at an elevation near 1,851 m (about 6,073 ft).
- The Archaeological Survey of India lists the site as N-JK-2, “Mughal Arcade and Spring at Verinag”, a Monument of National Importance under its Srinagar Circle.
- An inscription on the tank dates the octagonal stone basin to 1029 Hijri (1620 AD), the 15th regnal year of Emperor Jahangir, according to ASI-cited readings.
- The spring is widely described by J&K Tourism and the Anantnag district administration as the primary source of the Jhelum river.
- Best season is spring to autumn (about April to October); the garden is in bloom from April to June, and winters are cold with sub-zero nights.
- Nearest railheads are Anantnag, Qazigund and Banihal on the Baramulla–Banihal line; Srinagar airport is about 82 km away (as of October 2026).
About Verinag and its octagonal spring
Verinag is a town and spring in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, sitting at the foot of the Banihal range at the southern edge of the Kashmir Valley. For travellers driving up from Jammu, it is the first notable stop in the valley after the Jawahar Tunnel. The centrepiece is a deep spring held inside an eight-sided stone tank.
The spring itself gives the place its character. According to Wikipedia’s reading of Jahangir’s memoir and local accounts, the water is clear and a deep blue-green, holds large fish, and is said never to dry up or overflow. Local tradition puts the depth at about 50 feet (roughly 15 m), though historical soundings recorded in Jahangir’s own account suggest a more modest figure; we have not found a single authoritative measured depth, so treat the number as attributed rather than fixed.
The name is usually traced to “Vernag” or “Virahnag”, linking nag (spring) with older Sanskrit roots. On first mention the site is best named in full as Verinag Spring and Mughal Arcade, in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, to avoid confusion with other Kashmir springs such as Kokernag and Achabal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Verinag, Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir |
| Coordinates | About 33°33′N, 75°15′E |
| Elevation | About 1,851 m (6,073 ft) — per Wikipedia |
| What it is | Octagonal Mughal spring-tank, arcade and garden; source of the Jhelum |
| Built | Tank 1620 (Jahangir); garden extended by Shah Jahan (inscription-dated) |
| Protected status | ASI Monument of National Importance, N-JK-2 |
| Distance from Srinagar | About 78 km south-east (J&K Tourism gives 61–78 km in places) |
| Distance from Anantnag | About 26 km |
The Jahangiri garden, arcade and inscriptions
The octagonal stone arcade and tank at Verinag were built by Emperor Jahangir and completed in 1620, with the garden laid out and extended under his son Shah Jahan. According to ASI-cited inscription readings, a slab on the southern wall records the 15th regnal year of Jahangir and dates the work to 1029 Hijri (1620 AD). Craftsmen are said to have been brought from Iran for the stonework.
Shah Jahan added to the complex about seven years later, building cascades, aqueducts and hot and cold baths to the east of the garden, of which little now survives. Wikipedia records the garden as covering about 50,600 m² (12.5 acres), measuring roughly 460 m by 110 m, with a main water channel about 305 m long and 3.65 m wide; J&K Tourism gives the garden area as 5.30 hectares. Today the layout keeps clipped lawns, flower beds and chinar (Kashmiri plane) trees against a backdrop of pine forest, while the pavilions that once stood here are gone.
Two Persian inscriptions are the historical anchors of the site. The southern slab closes with the line, per ASI-cited translation, that the mansion may last for ever together with the spring. A western slab, attributed to a mason named Haidar by order of Shah Jahan, dates the aqueduct to 1037 Hijri and carries a chronogram about the aqueduct issuing from the spring. The texts survive only in English translation in the sources we checked.
Niches in the arcade also carry older religious meaning: accounts note a Shivling in one arch and a small temple within the garden, reflecting the spring’s pre-Mughal importance. For wider context on the region’s gardens and monuments, see our Jammu & Kashmir travel guide.
Why Verinag is called the source of the Jhelum
Verinag is widely described as the chief source of the Jhelum river by J&K Tourism and the Anantnag district administration. Water rising in the octagonal tank is channelled out through the Mughal canal and joins the stream network that becomes the Jhelum, the river that flows north-west through Anantnag, Srinagar and Dal Lake’s wider basin before leaving the valley.
The “source” label is a cultural and traditional one as much as a strict hydrological one. Several tributaries and springs feed the upper Jhelum, and one account notes a spot called Vithavatur about 2 km away that is also locally honoured as the river’s origin, with an annual fair. The spring also appears in older Kashmiri texts such as the Rajatarangini and Nilamata Purana, linked to the goddess Vitasta (the Sanskrit name for the Jhelum) and to the naga Nilanaga — this is tradition and legend, recorded as such, not documented history.
Best time to visit Verinag
The best time to visit Verinag is spring to autumn, roughly April to October, when the roads are open and the garden is green. Travel guides point to April to June for the garden in full bloom, and the autumn chinar colour from late October adds a second window. Winters are cold with snow and sub-zero nights, and the high passes and road tunnel on the Jammu side can close in heavy snowfall.
Because Verinag sits near 1,851 m, even summer mornings are cool. Plan a morning visit for the clearest light on the water and the fewest crowds. The table below is a planning guide drawn from travel-season reporting, not official IMD climate normals, so treat the temperatures as indicative.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | April–May | Gardens greening and in bloom; days about 10–20°C; good light |
| Summer | June–August | Warmest and busiest; comfortable daytime, cool mornings; peak valley travel |
| Autumn | September–October | Clear skies, chinar colour; crisp air; fewer visitors |
| Winter | November–March | Cold, possible snow, sub-zero nights; Jammu-side road tunnel may close |
How to reach Verinag
Verinag is reached by road off National Highway 44 (the Jammu–Srinagar highway) near the Jawahar Tunnel, about 78 km south-east of Srinagar and roughly 26 km from Anantnag town. The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport, about 82 km away per Wikipedia. The nearest railheads are Anantnag, Qazigund and Banihal on the Kashmir rail link.
Rail access has changed sharply. The Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) is now fully connected to the rest of India: a Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat service began on 7 June 2025 (reported train numbers 26401/26402 and 26403/26404), covering Katra to Srinagar in about three hours with Banihal as an intermediate stop. From Srinagar or Anantnag station you continue to Verinag by road taxi. Road remains the only way to the spring gate itself.
| From | Distance / mode | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar airport (SXR) | About 82 km by road | Taxi or bus via NH-44; fly in from Delhi and other metros |
| Srinagar city | About 78 km south-east | Shared taxi or self-drive via Anantnag; 2–3 hours |
| Anantnag | About 26 km | Via the Anantnag–Dooru–Verinag road; local taxi/bus |
| Qazigund railhead | Short road hop | In Kulgam district, on the Baramulla–Banihal line |
| Banihal railhead | Via NH-44 / Jawahar Tunnel | In Ramban district, just south of the Pir Panjal |
| Katra (Vaishno Devi) | Vande Bharat to Srinagar ~3 hrs | Then road to Verinag; service began June 2025 |
Entry, timings and what to see
Verinag is an ASI-protected open-air site, and we could not confirm a fixed entry ticket or official timings this session, so the figures below are indicative — reconfirm with the ASI Srinagar Circle or J&K Tourism before you go. In practice the garden and spring are visited in daylight hours, and the compact layout takes about one to two hours to see at an easy pace.
The spring and arcade are the main sight: walk the octagonal tank to watch the blue water and fish, read the inscription slabs, and follow the Mughal canal down through the garden. A local guide may be present at the gate; travel accounts report no fixed fee, with tips at the visitor’s discretion. Allow time simply to sit under the chinars, which is how the garden was meant to be used.
| Feature | Time needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Octagonal spring and arcade | 30–45 min | Deep blue spring; eight-sided stone tank; fish in the water |
| Persian inscription slabs | 10–15 min | Southern and western walls; dated 1029 and 1037 Hijri (ASI readings) |
| Mughal garden and canal | 30–45 min | Lawns, flower beds, chinars; 305 m water channel |
| Forest backdrop walk | 15–30 min | Pine-covered spur behind the garden; photo stops |
Where to stay and budget
You can stay at Verinag itself in J&K Tourism (JKTDC) huts, or base yourself in Anantnag or Srinagar for more choice. The JKTDC lists deluxe and super-deluxe one-, two- and four-bedroom huts and a Yatri Niwas dormitory near Verinag; book ahead in the April–June and autumn peaks. Anantnag has mid-range hotels, and Srinagar offers the full range including houseboats on Dal Lake.
The price bands below are planning estimates for two people and should be reconfirmed at the time of booking; they are indicative, not quoted tariffs. Many travellers visit Verinag as a half-day stop on a south-Kashmir loop rather than staying overnight. For a Srinagar base, our Dal Lake Srinagar travel guide covers houseboats and city stays.
| Type | Indicative band (per night) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / dormitory | ₹600–₹1,500 | JKTDC Yatri Niwas dorm; basic Anantnag lodges |
| Mid-range huts/hotels | ₹1,800–₹4,000 | JKTDC deluxe huts (Verinag); Anantnag hotels |
| Upper / Srinagar houseboat | ₹4,500–₹9,000+ | Srinagar hotels and Dal Lake houseboats |
A sample day-trip budget per person, assuming you are already in Srinagar, might look like the table below. It is an illustrative planning estimate for two sharing a taxi, dated October 2026, and excludes your Srinagar stay.
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumption |
|---|---|---|
| Shared taxi (return) | ₹700–₹1,200 | Two sharing; Srinagar–Verinag–Srinagar |
| Meals | ₹300–₹600 | Lunch and tea en route/in Anantnag |
| Guide tip | ₹100–₹200 | Optional; at your discretion |
| Buffer | ₹200–₹400 | Snacks, parking, small extras |
| Approx. total | ₹1,300–₹2,400 | Day trip, no overnight |
Rules, permits and travel advisory
No special entry permit is needed for Indian or foreign visitors to Verinag — it is an open ASI heritage site in Anantnag district, not a restricted zone, so the Inner Line Permit rules that apply in some border areas do not apply here. As a protected monument, treat it with the usual ASI courtesies: do not climb or deface the stone arcade, do not litter in or around the spring, and follow any on-site signage or staff instructions on photography.
On security, exercise normal diligence and check current advisories before you travel. As of October 2026, the US Department of State placed Jammu & Kashmir (excluding eastern Ladakh and Leh) under a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory citing terrorism and unrest, and the UK FCDO has advised against travel to parts of the region; at the same time, the main Kashmir tourist circuit was reported active for domestic visitors through 2026. Advisories change — check your own government’s latest guidance and local conditions close to your dates.
Nearby places
Verinag pairs naturally with the other south-Kashmir springs and gardens, most within an easy drive via Anantnag. Kokernag, Achabal and the Martand Sun Temple make a comfortable day’s circuit, and Qazigund is the gateway town on the highway. Distances below are from Anantnag town per the district administration, so plan Verinag-to-each hop accordingly.
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Kokernag | About 25 km from Anantnag | Large freshwater spring, terraced botanical garden, trout farm |
| Achabal | About 8–9 km from Anantnag | 17th-century Mughal garden fed by the Sonsanwar Hill spring |
| Martand Sun Temple | Near Anantnag (Ranbirpura) | 8th-century ASI temple ruins; dramatic stone colonnade |
| Anantnag town | About 26 km | District hub; shrines, markets, hotels and transport |
| Qazigund | Short road hop | Highway and rail gateway at the valley’s southern edge |
Practical tips
Verinag rewards a relaxed morning visit, so start early from Srinagar or Anantnag and carry a light layer even in summer. Mobile coverage from the main Indian networks is generally available in and around Anantnag, but can be patchy on the forested approach; download maps offline before you set out. Carry some cash: UPI and cards work in towns, but small stalls near the garden may be cash-only.
- Cash and payments: UPI/cards in Anantnag and Srinagar; keep small cash for the garden gate, parking and tips.
- Health: the nearest full hospital is in Anantnag (district headquarters); carry any personal medication and basic first aid.
- Clothing: modest, comfortable layers; it is a cool highland site and a heritage monument, so dress respectfully.
- Solo and women travellers: the garden is a public, staffed site visited in daylight; stick to standard precautions, travel before dusk, and use registered taxis.
- Season packing: sun protection and a light jacket April–October; warm layers and sturdy footwear in winter when snow is possible.
- Respect the monument: no climbing on the arcade, no littering in the spring, and follow ASI signage on photography.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Verinag located?
Verinag is in Anantnag district, Jammu & Kashmir, at the southern edge of the Kashmir Valley near the Banihal range. It lies about 26 km from Anantnag town and roughly 78 km south-east of Srinagar, reached by road off National Highway 44 near the Jawahar Tunnel.
Is Verinag really the source of the Jhelum river?
Yes, Verinag is widely described by J&K Tourism and the Anantnag district administration as the chief source of the Jhelum river. Water rising in the octagonal spring feeds the stream network that becomes the Jhelum, though several other springs also contribute to the river’s upper course.
Who built the Verinag spring and garden?
Emperor Jahangir built the octagonal stone tank and arcade around the spring, completed in 1620 (1029 Hijri) in his 15th regnal year, according to ASI-cited inscriptions. His son Shah Jahan later laid out and extended the garden, adding cascades, aqueducts and baths of which little now survives.
What is the best time to visit Verinag?
The best time to visit Verinag is spring to autumn, about April to October. The garden blooms from April to June, and autumn brings clear skies and chinar colour from late October. Winters are cold with possible snow and sub-zero nights, when the Jammu-side road tunnel can close.
Is there an entry fee for Verinag?
We could not confirm a fixed entry fee or official timings for Verinag this session, so treat any figure as indicative and reconfirm with the ASI Srinagar Circle or J&K Tourism. The site is visited in daylight hours; a local guide may be present with tips left at the visitor’s discretion.
How do I reach Verinag by train or air?
The nearest airport is Srinagar International Airport, about 82 km away. The nearest railheads are Anantnag, Qazigund and Banihal on the Kashmir rail link; a Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat has run since June 2025. From any of these you continue to the Verinag gate by road taxi.
Last updated and sources
Verinag suits travellers who want a short, calm heritage stop on a south-Kashmir circuit of springs and gardens, best enjoyed on a clear morning between April and October. Pair it with Kokernag, Achabal and Martand for a full day out from Anantnag or Srinagar.
Last updated: 17 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Wikipedia: Verinag (inscriptions, dimensions, elevation, history); Wikipedia / ASI list of Monuments of National Importance in J&K (N-JK-2 designation); J&K Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC): Verinaag (garden, accommodation, source of Jhelum); Anantnag district administration: tourist places (spring, nearby sites); Wikipedia: Qazigund / Jammu–Baramulla line and Kashmir Life: Katra–Srinagar Vande Bharat (rail access); press reporting on US/UK travel advisories. Accessed October 2026.
