Anantnag

Anantnag is a pleasant getaway in Srinagar with a wealth of ample religious shrines and places to worship. Known as the Land of the Saints, Kashmir enjoys reverence and allegiance from people professing different religious faiths. There are numerous sepulchers of saints at Anantnag which have an enchanting aura about them that takes you to the proximity of the Almighty. Some of the shrines at Anantnag have historical significance and is visited by thousands of Hindu and Muslim devotees. This sacred town finds mention in the Bhagwad Geeta, where the serpent pronounces “I am Anantnag”. The Inder Spring lies beneath Anantnag.

There are about seven temples in the Anantnag Bhawan Complex – two Shiva Temples, a Radha Krishen Mandir, a Durga Temple, a Ganesh Temple, a Sita Ram Temple, Hanuman Temple, four Dharmshallas and one school building. There are three ancient temples located outside the Anantnag Complex. They are: the Devibal, the Shiva Temple at Nai Basti, and a third at Hara Mohalla. Devibal is situated in Anantnag near Nagbal. It is dedicated to the Holy Spring of Khir Bhawani in a single storey temple. The place attracts a number of devotees and is considered consecrated by the Kashmiri Pundit community.

The entire complex of the Nagbal near Anantnag is a famous Hindu shrine located to the east of the town. The Holy Spring here is attributed to Lord Vishnu or Krishna. The Gautam Nag, home to the Sri Ramakrishna Maha Sammelan, is managed by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee Kannyakumari. The Ganesh Bal at the China Garden is believed to be the site where stood a huge Ganesh temple gilded in gold. Devotees flock here during the Ganesh Chaturthi. Some of the other shrines at the vicinity of Anantnag include: the Verinag Nila Nag, Vetha Vatur (Vetastha), Mattan (Bawan), Ziarat Baba Hyder Reshi (Reshi Maloo), Uma Devi of Uma Nagri etc.