Achabal

Achabal known as Achival (Kashmiri pronunciation), it is a town in Anantnag district, in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Achabal is an important tourist town about 8.1 km away from Anantnag, and is notable for an ancient spring surrounded by a garden terraced and developed by the Mughals. The upper portion of the garden is called 'Bag-e-Begum Abad' developed by Malika Noor Jehan Begum in 1616 AD and renowned as Sahib Abad in which there is a Hamam (treasure of water) getting heat from a logical lamp (Tosnag).
Perhaps the most beautiful of all the springs is Achabal which gushes out of the Sonsanwar Hill and was at once enlisted by the Emperor Jehangir in the service of beauty and pleasure. It is said that the Brengi Nallah which disappears at Dewalgam in the fissures of limestone is the real source of the Achabal Spring. The water of this spring which flows through this garden in three channels, is beautifying and ornamenting this terraced garden beyond imagination. The fountains that have been laid through the water channels add to the charm of this Mughal garden. The health resort of Achabal lies in the south east of the District at a distance of 09 Kms from the district headquarter.

History and Heritage
Achabal Garden, situated in the Shangus Tehsil of the Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, is a testament to the region's rich history and natural beauty. Located about six kilometres from the main town of Anantnag, this garden is renowned for its Persian-style Mughal architecture and stunning terraced layout. Sir Walter Lawrence, in his writings, described Anantnag as a "place of countless springs," emphasising the region's abundance of natural beauty. The garden's four terraces, arranged in an ascending order, exemplify the charbagh style of Mughal gardens, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulence of the Mughal era.
The origin of Achabal's name can be traced back to the Nilmat Purana, where a spring known as Achabal-naag is mentioned. This spring, originating from the Sosaanwar hill, was cherished for its refreshing waters. The garden's main attraction is its spring, with water flowing from a hole 18 inches high and 12 inches in diameter. The abundant water supply in the garden is facilitated by numerous fountains, one of which is described by Abul Fazal as powerful enough to pump water to great heights, showcasing the garden's engineering marvels.
Achabal's historical significance is further highlighted by its association with Mughal emperors. Jahangir, enamoured by its beauty, used it as a retreat for beauty and pleasure. The garden's beauty captivated even the likes of Noor Jahan, who not only laid out gardens but also constructed a hamam and pavilions within the premises. The garden's allure also attracted visitors like Sir Young Husband, who marvelled at its beauty and the efforts of Maharaja to create a luxurious camp for Lord Minto.
Despite its historical grandeur, Achabal Garden has faced challenges over time, with roads and modern developments encroaching on its original layout. However, efforts by rulers like Gulab Singh and Maharaja Ranbir Singh have helped preserve some of its structures, such as the Harem building, Hammam, and pavilions. Today, Achabal Garden stands as a reminder of Kashmir's rich heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into its royal past and architectural splendour.

Geography and Climate
Achabal has a longitude of 33.68°N and a latitude of 75.23°E with an average elevation of 1936 metres. The people belonging to Achabal are mostly Sunni Muslims. Achabal also has a spring appearing which has been beautified by the Achabal garden. This spring seems to originate from the Breng river which vanishes in Dewalgam. Achabal has good weather throughout the year except December and January when it's extremely cold with temperatures dipping in minus.month in Achabal. The best time to visit this place is from May to November. However you can expect little showers in this region any time round the year.

Flora and Fauna
The vegetation present in the Achabal Wildlife sanctuary mainly includes mixed coniferous forests where kail pine, spruce, fir, birch, deodar and juniper trees are predominant. The Achabal Wildlife Sanctuary is home to many species of animals including the Himalayan black bear, leopard, jackal, leopard cat, Indian porcupine, hog deer and the barking deer. A few species of wild birds are also found in the sanctuary.

Tourism in Achabal
Achabal in Anantnag is a beautiful place in Kashmir and is one of the must visit places of the state. Achabal garden is the reason you should not miss seeing this place. It is the best Mughal garden in India and was once upon a time a pleasure retreat for Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. It is located just 8kms away from Anantnag. Achabal is one masterpiece created by Mughals to perfection.

Achabal garden is built around an ancient spring which is beautified by the Mughal by building a terrace garden around it. It is believed that the source of this spring is the Breng river which vanishes at Dewalgam in the fissures of the limestone. This garden was built according to the taste and pleasure of Mughal Empress Noor Jahan. The charisma of this empress is reflected in the way she built this garden.  So much is the allure of the garden, that it will simply mesmerise you.

In 1620 A.D, Malika Noor Jehan Begum developed the upper portion of the garden also known as `Bag-e-Begum Abad`. Later it became famed as Sahib Abad. The upper portion is where the powerful spring is and it enters the garden as a waterfall. The Achabal garden is covered with dense forest at its hill. Throughout the year, water keeps sprouting from this spring.

Dara Shikoh, a Mughal prince built a mosque in the garden a little later. A trout farm for seed fish is also located nearby. The sprawling Chinar trees embellish this garden's beauty. Conventional elegance, Ornamental shrubs and Stepped terraces are the added features which leaves you mesmerised and attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world every year. This garden is built  in Persian style of gardening, one of the most favoured styles of the Mughal era. The sight of this garden will fill your eyes with the myriad of colours of the blooming flowers and the exquisitely designed fountains with water flowing out will charm you. It's a different sight altogether of this garden during autumns as Chinar trees turn red making the place look even more beautiful.

Local Cuisine
Achabal mainly serves the standard Kashmiri cuisine. There are many food stalls outside the Achabal garden where you can enjoy the roadside food.

How to Reach
By Air: Srinagar Airport (SXR) is the closest airport to Achabal which is located at a distance of about 67 kms. It takes about 2 hours to reach Achabal by road due to the mountainous terrain .You can also hire a Pre-paid taxi or a shared taxi at the Srinagar airport. These Taxis charge you around Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 depending on the season. There is also a facility of State-run buses near the airport.
By Rail: Jammu Tawi Railway Station is the closest railhead to Achabal located at a distance of about 250 kms. Jammu is a major railway station in Kashmir which is connected to many cities of the country on broad gauge. You can hire a taxi or take state run buses to reach Achabal.
By Road: Achabal in Anantnag can be reached by these three major routes which are as follows

1. You start from Srinagar which is about 67 kms from Achabal. Take the NH 1A & M A Road and reach Acahabal via Awantipur via Larikpur via Bijbehara via Anantnag via Sheer Pora via Doni Pawa.
2. The second route involves starting from Jammu which is about 248 kms away from Achabal. You first take the National Highway 1A.
and reach Achabal via Udhampur to Batote to Banihal via Qazigund via Anantnag via Sheer Pora via Doni Pawa.
3. The third route involves starting from.Jammu and this route is about 362 kms away from Achabal. You take NH 1A & NH 1B and reach Achabal via Udhampur to Batote to Doda via Kishtwar via Del via Singpur.