out in front of the spring . He also built hot and cold baths to the east of this garden , just outside of it , of which little trace is now left . The spring is the main source of the mighty river Jhelum . The water contained in an octagonal spring has crystal blue water in which a variety of big fishes live . History and the carvings on stones in Persian on the walls surrounding the spring tell about how this great source of underwater spring is contained without revealing its architecture .
Now , the spring is 80 metres wide and about 50 metres deep and enclosed by a brick wall ; its pristine waters mirror the verdant surroundings of pine trees and fish swim in its cool depths . The green lawns around the spring are well manicured and splashed with colours of massed flowers . The spring also has a religious aspect : it is a sacred place for Hindus , who believe Lord Shiva resides in the first arc on the left side . The historical garden , in fact , has an old temple that houses some ancient idols of Hindu goddesses . And about 2 km ahead of Verinag lies Veravurthur , the supposed source of river Jhelum , Kashmir ' s lifeline . The waters of several nearby springs , collectively known as Sapta Rishi , have their confluence at Sangam , where people bathe on festivals . The birth of the river is celebrated annually with a fair .
Verinag so captivated the Mughals they inscribed in two stone slabs , one each in the western and southern walls , its praise , and in elegant Persian no less .
The inscription on the western wall slab reads : Haidar , by order of Shah Jahan , the paramount lord of his age – God be praised--made the cascade and aqueduct flow . This aqueduct reminds one of the aqueducts of paradise . By this cascade Kashmir attained glory The unseen Angel declared the date of aqueduct , The aqueduct has issued from the heavenly spring .
The inscription on the southern wall slab 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 . Thisconstruction was made by order of His Majesty By Jahangir , son of King Akbar , This construction was raised to the skies . The architect of intelligence got its date – ' May the mansion last forever together with the spring Verinag !' ( 1029 Hijri )