| Anantnag | |
| Coordinates | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| District(s) | Anantnag |
| mayor | Mr GM Thukur |
| Population • Density |
183437 (2001) • 1,002 /km2 (2,595 /sq mi) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
183 km2 (71 sq mi) • 1,601 m (5,253 ft) |
Anantnag (Kashmiri: अनंतनाग, اننتناگ /Anaṁtnāg/, meaning abode of springs and lakes), is a city and a municipality in Anantnag district in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, India. It is the 3rd largest city of Jammu and Kashmir in population and largest city according to area. It is also regarded as commercial and financial capital of the valley of Kashmir. It is the largest business and trading center of the valley .
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As of 2001 India census,[1] Anantnag had a population of 183,437. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Anantnag city has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 84% of the males and 79% of females literate. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
According to ancient mythological stories, the name Anant Nag is given to the place because Lord Shiv during his journey to Amarnath cave left all his valuables on the way and Anant Nag was the place where he is supposed to have left countless number of serpents residing on him.The city finds its place in the Bhagavadgita that says "I am Ananta Naga"[2] It is also well mentioned in ancient Naga and Pichash cronicals of ancient aboriginals of the valley. Anantnag is an ancient city which came into existence as a market town around 5000 B.C. making it of the oldest urban human settlements in the whole world. It was also known as Kashyapteshwara in ancient times linking it to the mythology of Rishi Kashyapa. It has one spring called Inder Spring Hydro sphere. It has two Sulphur springs and countless fresh water springs. There are about 7 temples in Anantnag (Anantnag Bhawan Complex): two Shiva Temples, one Radha Krishna Mandir, one Durga Temple, one Ganesh Temple, Sita Ram Temple, Hanuman Temple, four Dharmshallas and one school building. Outside the complex in the town are three temples - Ancient temples - Devibal, Shiva Temple at Nai Basti, and third at Hara Mohalla. All three temples outside the complex were burnt and damaged. Kashmiri Hindus in February 1986 rebuilt them with assistance of the then Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Mr. Jag Mohan. Now both the Shivala temples outside complex are reported to have been again damaged and partially burnt. The district as well as its headquarter city are called by same name.[3] Regarding this second name no mention is to be found in the old chronicles of Kashmir. It is however, said that the name of Islamabad was assigned to the city by one Islam Khan who was the Governor of Kashmir during the Mughal rule in 1663 A.D., but the change in its nomenclature proved temporary and during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh the town as well as district again resumed their old name, Anantnag, as it was popular among the common masses.
Anant also means numerous in the Sanskrit language and Naga means spring in the Kashmiri language. Thus Anantnag is believed to mean numerous springs, because there are many springs, including Nag Bal, Salak Nag and Malik Nag in the town. Nag Bal issues from the foot-hill of table land. Its waters are received into tanks, whose sides are built with stones and which are over shadowed by Chinar trees. Houses of worship of the adherents of three religions Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs are built adjacent to each other near the tanks, which depicts a rare example of communal harmony between those particular faiths in the area. Another example of religious tolerance is the Mosque of Baba Dawood Khaki, which contains a small Hindu temple in its courtyard. Among the mosques of the town of Anantnag, one is built indirectly near the mausoleum of famous Kashmiri saint Rishi Malo to whose prayers the defeat of Akbar's first attempt to invade Jammu and Kashmir was attributed. The place is venerated by Kashmiris of all faiths.
Anantnag is a city of various handicrafts. Shawl weaving, Gabbah and Namdah manufacturing are the main trades. Near Anantnag three streams namely Arapath, Brengi and Sandran confluence together, thus giving birth to river Veth (Jhelum). Another stream Lidar also joins the flow with them at a little distance downstream further ahead. From this place the river becomes navigable. In olden times river Jhelum was the main source of transportation between Anantnag and other towns downstream. The distances of different towns and cities from Anantnag are Achhabal - 6 miles (9.7 km), Kokarnag - 14 miles (23 km), Verinag - 17 miles (27 km), Pahalgam - 24 miles (39 km) and Srinagar - 33 miles (53 km).
Anantnag is situated at 33.44 latitude and 75.12 longitude, at an elevation of 5,400 feet (1,600 m) above sea level, at a distance of 33 miles (53 km) from the main state-headquarters Srinagar. Anantnag is located at 33°44′N 75°09′E / 33.73°N 75.15°E.[4] It has an average elevation of 1601 metres (5252 feet). The city is constituted by three main boroughs or towns Viz Anantnag, Khanabal, Mattan and half a dozen small townships. Most of the population of city resides in the Anantnag borough. The old city of Anantnag comprises Nagbal, Maliknag, Kadipora, Cheeni Chowk, Doni Pawa, Sarnal Bala, Janglatmandi, Old Port Khanabal, Downtown martand, & Dangarpora areas and few villages like Haji Danter, Mir Danter etc. The new city consists civil lines areas like S.K. Colony, Laizbal, Anchidora, Iqbalabad, Posh Bilal Colony, Fasilabad, Moomin-Abad, Harnag, Sultan Bah-i-Rum Shah and Mid town areas like Ashshjipora, Naibasti, Batpora and Mir Bazaar. Anantnag has quite a population inhabiting several satellite areas like Wanpoh, Dialgam, Fatehpora, Nowgam, Seer, Fateh Garh University town and NH 1 A north and east.
Anantnag has for long enjoyed the status of the second largest city of Jammu and Kashmir, India, but in last few years has become largest city with respect to the area. The name of Anantnag District according to a well known archaeologist, Sir A. Stein from the great spring Ananta Naga issuing at the center of the city. This is also corroborated by almost all local historians including Kalhana according to whom the city has taken the name of this great spring of Cesha or Ananta Naga land of countless springs. The spring is mentioned in the Neelmat Purana as a sacred place for the Hindus and Koshur Encyclopedia testifies it.
Anantnag, like the rest of the Kashmir Valley, has witnessed many vicissitudes and experienced many upheavals from time to time. Hugel found here some monuments of the Mughal period in ruins when he visited Jammu and Kashmir in 1835. No significant ancient building or archaeological site is found in the district today except the Martand temple as most of the ancient architectural monuments in area were destroyed during rule of Sikander Hyat Khan. What must have once been magnificent architectural show pieces like the Martand complex of temples situated at a distance of nine kilometers from the district headquarters or the palaces of Laltaditya and Awantivarman at Awantipora lying midway between Srinagar and Anantnag are now in grand ruins. The majestic Martand temple is one of the important archaeological sites of the country. Its impressive architecture reveals the glorious past of the area. Martand temple is the clear expression of Kashmir’s pristine glory. The Mughal Emperors especially Jehangir developed many beauty spots of the district, but of their noble and magnificent edifices only fainted traces survive. All the same, even in their present ruinous conditions, these monuments do not fail to feast the eye or excite the imagination of admirers at large.
Kashmir is the land of saints, Sufis, and Munis and the Anantnag district being part of the Kashmir Valley is no exception. Anantnag is bestowed with religious wealth in the form of numerous shrines and places of worship enjoying reverence and allegiance of people professing different faiths. There are numerous sepulchers of saints which have enchanting environs, while visiting these shrines, one feels in close proximity of the Almighty. Some of the shrines have historical importance in addition to religious significance attached to them. The Famous shrine in Anantnag is Hazrat Baba Hyder Rashi (Ra) at Historical Jamia Masjid islamabad Anantnag. These shrines belong to both Hindus and Muslims and are visited by thousands of devotees. Some of the shrines are the world famous shrine of Baba Hyder Gazi (ra), Amarnath Ji, Devibal, Gautam Nag, Verinag, Nila Nag, Vitasta, Mattan, Bawan, Uma Devi of Uma Nagri, Nagdandi, Domtabal Asthapan, Khana Barnain Triporsundari Asthapan Devsar, Goswami Gund Ashram, Guddar Asthapan, Lok Bhawan, Swami Mirza Kak Asthapan Hangulgund, Durga, Shiva Bhagwati at Akingam, Kulwagishiri Asthapan Kulgam, Liddar Syandhai Asthapan, Trisandhia Asthapan, Gauri Temple at Pahalgam, Shillagram Temple. Other famous shrines of Reshis like Reshi Maloo (Anantnag), the last of the giants of the Rishi order in Jammu and Kashmir about whose resting place the Alamda-i-Kashmir (Flag Bearer of Kashmir), Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Rishi had foretold his disciples. The devotees of the district and other places visit these shrines particularly on days when the festivals connected with the shrines are celebrated here.
Adventure sports are popular among tourists. Pahalgam has potential for canoeing and water skiing. Water trekking is local name for three to four day trip along the Jhelum River in a shikara with camping gear. Aru (58 km) and Pahalgam (45km) are popular destinations for hikers, trekkers and fishermen.
Sports like football and cricket are popular among schoolchildren as well as adults.
Performing arts of the city include:
Anantnag is a city in India.
Anantnag is situated just after the jawahar tunnel on NH 1 in Kashmir ends. It is 53 km from State capital, Srinagar.
One and a half hour journey from Srinagar
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Anantnag, also called Islamabad (Kashmiri: اننتناگ /Anaṁtnāg/, meaning abode of springs and lakes), is a city and a municipality located in the Anantnag Tehsil of the Islamabad District in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It should not be confused with Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. About 180,000 people live in Anantnag.
Anantnag is the 3rd largest city of the Indian state Jammu and Kashmir by population and largest according to area. It is also regarded as the commercial and financial capital of the valley of Kashmir. It is the largest business and trading center of the valley. It is regarded as the knowledge hub city of Kashmir as it has produced the most number of intellectuals and professionals and leaders.[needs proof] It is a slightly stricter society when it comes to modesty, religious practices and dressing sense of woman folk particularly, though trendy in its own way.[needs proof]
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