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)