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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.