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Verinag: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Verinag
In the year 1620, the Mughal emperor Jahangir stood before a shapeless marsh and made a decision that would transform a humble trickle of water into one of the most enduring symbols of imperial power in Kashmir. This was not merely a construction project; it was an act of defiance against the chaotic forces of nature. The spring, known today as Verinag, was originally an irregular pond where water oozed from various points, creating a marshy, undefined expanse. Jahangir, a ruler known for his profound appreciation of natural beauty, saw the potential in this raw landscape and ordered the construction of an octagonal stone basin to contain the waters. He brought master carvers from Iran to shape the stones, creating a structure that would hold the spring's flow for centuries. The inscription on the southern wall of the spring, dated 1029 Hijri, records this moment of transformation, marking the beginning of a legacy that would outlive the empire itself. The spring, now encased in stone, became the source of the Jhelum River, a waterway that would flow through the heart of Kashmir and into the lands of Pakistan, carrying with it the history of the region.
The Emperor's Unfulfilled Wish
Jahangir's vision for Verinag extended beyond the physical construction of the garden and the spring; he harbored a personal desire to be buried within its serene confines. This wish, however, was never realized, as his wife, Nur Jahan, a powerful and influential figure in the Mughal court, chose to disobey his final instructions. The reasons behind her decision remain a subject of historical debate, but the outcome was clear: the emperor's body was laid to rest elsewhere, leaving his garden as a monument to his unfulfilled longing. The garden, designed in the traditional Persian Charbagh style, was meant to be a paradise on earth, with four rivers flowing from a central source. However, the steep hillside of Verinag forced a modification of this design, reducing the double symmetry to a single central water axis. The garden, measuring 460 meters by 110 meters, was bisected by a water canal that transferred water from the spring at the southern end to the Jhelum River at the northern end. The octagonal pool, surrounded by a colonnade of 24 arches, became the focal point of the garden, its clear waters home to a variety of big fish. The garden's design, though altered by the terrain, remained a testament to the Mughal love for nature and their ability to adapt to the landscape.
The Legend of the Returning Goddess
Before the Mughal gardens and the stone basins, Verinag was a place of myth and legend, deeply rooted in the spiritual traditions of Kashmir. According to the Nilamata Purana, the goddess Vitasta, who would become the river Jhelum, sought to rise from this spring. However, when she arrived, she found the god Shiva already present, and she was forced to return, taking her rise from a spring about a mile to the north-west, known as Vithavatur. The name Verinag, derived from the Sanskrit words Virah, meaning 'to go back', and Nag, meaning 'water spring', commemorates this event. The spring is also considered the residing place of Nilanaga, a deity placed at the head of all Nagas or spring-deities of Kashmir. This sacred significance is reflected in the presence of a Lord Shiva shivling in one of the arcs of the spring, and a temple inside the garden with idols of Hindu goddesses. The birth of the river is celebrated annually with a fair on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of the month Bhadrapada of the Hindu Calendar, drawing pilgrims and visitors alike to the site. The spring's sacredness transcends religious boundaries, making it a place of reverence for both Hindus and Muslims, a testament to the region's rich cultural tapestry.
When was the Verinag spring constructed by Mughal emperor Jahangir?
The Verinag spring was constructed in the year 1620 during the 15th year of Jahangir's reign. The southern wall inscription dated 1029 Hijri records this moment of transformation when the emperor ordered the construction of an octagonal stone basin to contain the waters.
Why was Mughal emperor Jahangir not buried at the Verinag garden?
Jahangir's wish to be buried within the Verinag garden was never realized because his wife Nur Jahan chose to disobey his final instructions. The emperor's body was laid to rest elsewhere, leaving the garden as a monument to his unfulfilled longing.
What is the origin of the name Verinag according to the Nilamata Purana?
The name Verinag is derived from the Sanskrit words Virah meaning to go back and Nag meaning water spring. This name commemorates the event where the goddess Vitasta found the god Shiva already present at the spring and was forced to return to rise from a spring about a mile to the north-west known as Vithavatur.
How did Shah Jahan modify the Verinag garden seven years after Jahangir's construction?
Shah Jahan constructed cascades and aqueducts in straight lines through and around the garden to enhance its beauty and functionality. The western wall inscription dated 1037 Hijri records this addition stating that the aqueduct had issued from the heavenly spring.
Where is the source of the Verinag spring located beneath the surface?
The source of the Verinag spring is located at the exact center almost 50 feet underwater from where the water continuously rises and flows into the gardens facing the spring. The water flows from the spring into the octagonal pool then down a 305-meter-long canal to the Jhelum River.
What is the current status of the Verinag garden under Indian heritage laws?
The Verinag garden is recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance. The garden retains its original charm and beauty with the octagonal pool and the surrounding colonnade still intact despite alterations by time and human activity.
Seven years after Jahangir's initial construction, his son Shah Jahan, who would later become the builder of the Taj Mahal, added his own touch to the Verinag garden. He constructed cascades and aqueducts in straight lines through and around the garden, enhancing its beauty and functionality. The aqueduct, which reminded observers of the aqueduct of paradise, was a testament to Shah Jahan's love for natural beauty and his desire to create a place of eternal glory. The inscription on the western wall of the spring, dated 1037 Hijri, records this addition, stating that the aqueduct had issued from the heavenly spring. The garden, now a blend of Jahangir's and Shah Jahan's visions, became a model for future Mughal gardens, influencing the design of other famous gardens in the region. The water, collected in the octagonal pool, flowed down a 300-yard canal to the Bihat River, creating a continuous flow that sustained the garden and the surrounding landscape. The garden's design, though modified by the terrain, remained a symbol of the Mughal empire's ability to harmonize with nature, creating spaces that were both beautiful and functional.
The Stone Slabs That Speak
The stone slabs built into the western and southern walls of Verinag spring serve as a historical record of the garden's construction and the intentions of its builders. The southern wall inscription, written in Persian, praises the spring as a gift from God and records the date of its construction, 1029 Hijri, during the 15th year of Jahangir's reign. The western wall inscription, also in Persian, commemorates Shah Jahan's addition of the cascade and aqueduct, dated 1037 Hijri. These inscriptions, translated and preserved, provide a unique insight into the minds of the Mughal emperors and their vision for the garden. The text on the southern wall reads, 'The king of seven kingdoms, the administrator of justice, the father of victory, Nur-ud-din, Jahangir son of Akbar, the martyr king, halted at this spring of God's grace in the 15th year of his reign.' The western wall inscription states, 'Haidar, by order of Shah Jahan, the paramount lord of his age, God be praised, made the cascade and aqueduct flow.' These words, etched in stone, have survived for centuries, offering a direct connection to the past and a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mughal empire in Kashmir.
The Hidden Depths of the Spring
Beneath the surface of the Verinag spring lies a mystery that has fascinated historians and scientists alike. The spring is located at the exact center, almost 50 feet underwater, from where the water continuously rises and flows into the gardens facing the spring. The depth of the spring, as reported by locals, adds to its enigmatic nature, suggesting a hidden world beneath the surface. The water, crystal clear and filled with carp, flows from the spring into the octagonal pool, then down a 305-meter-long canal to the Jhelum River. The spring's depth and the continuous flow of water have made it a subject of study for hydrologists and historians, who seek to understand the geological and hydrological processes that sustain it. The spring's ability to never dry up or overflow, despite the changing climate and human activity, is a testament to the natural forces that have shaped the region for millennia. The spring's hidden depths, combined with its visible beauty, make it a place of wonder and intrigue, drawing visitors from around the world to witness its majesty.
The Garden That Survived the Ages
Today, the Verinag garden stands as a monument to the Mughal empire's enduring legacy in Kashmir, recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India as a Monument of National Importance. The garden, though altered by time and human activity, retains its original charm and beauty, with the octagonal pool and the surrounding colonnade still intact. The garden's design, though modified by the terrain, remains a testament to the Mughal love for nature and their ability to adapt to the landscape. The garden's location, at the bottom of a hill covered by pine trees and evergreen plants, adds to its natural beauty, making it a popular tourist destination. The garden's history, from its initial construction by Jahangir to its completion by Shah Jahan, is a story of imperial ambition and artistic vision, preserved in stone and water. The garden's survival through the ages, despite the changing political and social landscape of Kashmir, is a testament to the enduring power of art and nature to transcend time and space.