Located near Anantnag city, Verinag town is known for its spring and Mughal Garden. It is also the first tourist spot of Kashmir if you are travelling from Jammu. In fact, the place is linked to the history of the Mughal Empire. Jammu & Kashmir authorities have decided to introduce the place as a tourist attraction!
J&K’s Verinag To develop As A Tourist Spot
The picturesque location, Verinag, is still undiscovered by tourists due to poor infrastructure and advertising. The sole lodging options are the eight budgeted rooms provided by the Verinag Development Authority (VDA). In addition to this, four rooms are provided by the Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development Corporation (JKTDC), and the twelve rooms are provided by the Department of Tourism. However, their condition is not up to the mark.
As per a report by Greater Kashmir, these buildings were all built in the years 2005 and 2006 and have been ignored ever since. Verinag is surrounded by several beautiful places, such as Imoh and Hengipora-Kapran. It is also connected to the national highway through Lower Munda and the old Jawahar Tunnel.
The historical Mughal Sarai on the Vitasta River at Imoh, which is under the jurisdiction of the VDA, is lying abandoned, as are the huts of the Forest Department near Sarbal-Hengipora.
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The Famous Mughal Garden And Other Tourist Attractions
According to Roman Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VDA, the number of tourists visiting this picturesque location is negligible, thus the lodging is now adequate. In addition to aiming to market the area as a top tourist destination, he added, the infrastructure would also be improved.
The CEO noted that there has been a good local rush to the picturesque location. The famous garden that the Mughal Emperor Jahangir constructed in the 17th century can be found in Verinag.
A variety of trees and imposing Chinars surround the natural springs that are the centre of the gardens. From the Banihal pass, a creek known as Hakkar Nallah descends through the community before joining springs of water.
To stop the spring water from being contaminated, the residents have long advocated for solid waste management and sewage treatment facilities.
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Comment below and tell us if you were aware of this scenic location in Jammu & Kashmir.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia