Overview
Verinag, in Anantnag district, is celebrated as the source of the Jhelum river. Its centrepiece is a deep, octagonal spring of startlingly blue water, enclosed by an octagonal stone arcade Emperor Jahangir built in 1620 AD, using carvers brought specially from Iran. Jahangir is said to have wished to be buried here, though Nur Jahan ultimately did not honour that wish. Backed by a forested hill, Verinag is one of the most serene of Kashmir's Mughal-era water sites.
Verinag on the Map
Things to Do & Places to Visit in Verinag
Verinag Spring & Mughal Arcade
View on map →A deep blue octagonal spring, the source of the Jhelum, ringed by a Mughal stone arcade built by Jahangir in 1620 with Persian stone carvers.
Verinag Garden
View on map →The Mughal garden around the spring, with chinars and walkways - quieter and less visited than Srinagar's Nishat and Shalimar.
How to Reach Verinag
Verinag is about 78 km south of Srinagar (around 2 to 2.5 hours), near the Jawahar Tunnel end of the valley. It pairs naturally with Kokernag and Achabal.
Stay and Travel: Verinag
Explore More of Kashmir
Verinag FAQs
What is Verinag famous for?
Verinag is famous as the source of the Jhelum river, marked by a deep blue octagonal Mughal spring built by Emperor Jahangir in 1620, set against a forested hill in south Kashmir.
Is Verinag worth visiting?
Yes, for its striking blue spring, Mughal heritage, and serene setting. It is best combined with the nearby springs and gardens of Kokernag and Achabal on a south Kashmir circuit.
Who built the Verinag spring structure?
Emperor Jahangir built the octagonal stone arcade around the spring in 1620 AD, bringing stone carvers from Iran for the work. It is one of the earliest Mughal garden structures in Kashmir.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.
Planning to visit Verinag?
Our local Srinagar team can arrange your stay, transport, and a route that includes Verinag.