Introduction

Situated 55 Kms.of the south-east of Srinagar, Anantnag district is spread over an area of 3934 Sq.Kms.with a population of approx.8.50 lakhs. It is bounded by Srinagar district in the north,Pulwama districts in the north west and Kargil district in the north east. It is flanked by Doda and Udhampur districts in the east and south east and by district of Rajouri south west. The Anantnag district is called the Granary of the Kashmir Valley. It is the third highly populous district of the Valley after Srinagar and Baramulla. About 89 percent of the population lives in the rural areas and is mostly engaged in agriculture, the principal crops being rice and maize. The district is divided into 5 tehsils, 10 community development blocks, 8 towns, 149 panchayats and 645 villages. The tehsils include Anantnag, Doru, Kulgam, Pahalgam and Bijbehara. The blocks are  Sahabad, Achabal, Shangus, Kulgam, Damhal Hajipora, Qaimoh, Breng, Qazigund, Khoverpora and Dachnipora. The population density per Sq.Kms.in the district is 165. Culturally, the district is no different from any other area of the Valley. Kashmiri and Urdu are the main languages of people while rice is their staple food.

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At a Glance

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Historical Places and Monuments

Mattan

 The temples of Mattan are located midway between Anantnag and Pahalgam. There is a Shiva Temple in the centre of a deep pond.

Martand

This is a significant Archaelogical site. Its impressive Architecture reveals the glorious past of the area. All that remains of the temple is a central rectangular building surrounded by a court and rectangular colonnade.

Shrines

The most important shrine is of Amarnath cave situated about 48 KMs from Pahalgam which attracts devotees from all over the world. It is       located in the upper reaches of the Distt at an altitude of about 13000ft. from the sea level. Shrine is believed to be an abode of lord Shiva.

There are famous temples at Anantnag,Deviangan,Bijbehara, Akingam,Lukbhavan, and Goswami Gund,Nagdandi Ashram.

The famous shrines of Bab-Zain-Ud-Din Wali is existing at Aishmuqam.

The shrine of Baba-Hyder Rishi is located at Anantnag. He is the last giant of Rishi order of saints.

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Tourist Places

The district is not only the Bread Bowl of the Valley,it is equally rich in landscape.The nature has been bountiful enough in gifting the district with places of unparallel beauty,important among these are:

Pahalgam

The world famous hill station 45 Kms. from Anantnag town,situated at an altitude of 7200 ft.was once a great tourist puller.It is perphaps the best health resort in the country,located by the banks of the river Lidder. The Pahalgam Valley presents a glamorous look due to its pine forests,snow clad mountains,heelthy climate and vast spread meadows and pastures.Torrential flow of water in Lidder Nallah enriches the winsome beauty of the valley.Pahalgam also serves as the base camp for the famous Amarnath Yatra.Besides tourist huts,several hotels in private sector have come up here, providing modern facilities to tourists.

Acchabal

An important tourist spot about eight Km.away from Anantnag.The place is famous and attractive due to an ancient spring surrounded by a garden terraced and developed by the Mughal Emperor.The upper portion of the garden is called "Bagh-e-Begum Abad" developed by Malk-e-Noor-Jahan Begum in 1620 AD and renowned as Sahib Abad in which there was a "HAMAM" (Treasure of water) getting heat from a logical lamp(tosng).The lamp which was magically kindledwas put out during repairs.

Kokernag

Kokernag is a beautifully laid garden about a fresh water spring famous for its curative  properties.The garden,20 Kms from the district headquarter is visited in summer by tourists in great numbers.

Verinag

A spring at Verinag,about 26 Kms.away from Anantnag is considered the original source of river Jehlum.The spring is situated at the bottom of hill covered by pine trees and evergreen plants.The Mughal Emperor Jahangir constructed it and carvers for the purpose were brought from Iran.The spring becomes a small canal outside its bank and from there begins the river Jehlum.

Daksum

Located in the dense forests,this scenic spot falls on the Anantnag-Simthan- Kishtwar road where a gushing stream is rich in trout fish.It is a forest retreat girdled by mountains.The surroundings forests are famous for flora and fauna.

Ttrekking 

The environs of Pahalgam in Anantnag district offers exciting trekking opportunities.Some well known routes are:

	Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Panchtarni-Amarnath Cave-Sonamarg (7 days).
	Pahalgam-Chandanwari-Sheshnag-Rangamarg-Humpet-Kanital-Lonivilad-Panikhar-Kargil(9 days).
	Kolahoi glacier,36 Kms from Pahalgam,Tarsar lake,35 Kms, from Pahalgam and Tulian lake are other places of enchanting beauty and  consequently of immense tourist interest.
	The variety of tourist places,splendid natural beauty,hearthrobing trekking tents support of Kamdeva the Lord of Beauty.