Mesmerising Kashmir 3: Sonmarg and Kokernag

Sonmarg

After Gulmarg we proceeded to Sonamarg , which is situated at a distance of 84 kms from Srinagar, on the Srinagar-Ladakh Road. Sonmarg is called the meadow of gold and is located in the Sindh valley with the Sindh (Indus) river  meandering  through the valley .Sonamarg is the base of  major trek that pass along several mountain lakes –Vishansar, Kishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Gangabal. Sonamarg is also the take off station for the drive to Ladakh across the Zojila, a major pass in the Great Himalayan Range, through which the Srinagar-Leh Road passes.Sonmarg is therefore, also called the “gateway to Laddakh”. Just like Pahalgam, Sonmarg is also a base for undertaking the yatra to the holy Amarnath cave. The route to Amarnath cave is shorter from Sonmarg, however, the pilgrims prefer the longer route from Pahalgam because of its religious significance.

Thajawas glacier is a major attraction in Sonmarg and is a must see for any visitor visiting this place from any nook and corner of the country or abroad. Unlike any other glacier, it is easily accessible by ponies or even by vehicles. It is not very far from the highway. The glacier is a photographer’s delight. We found a lot of snow at Thajwas and it was very chilly because of the rains. The beauty of nature here is breathless with a mixture of dazzling white snow of the glacier and the adjoining greenery.

We also visited the trout fishing point in Sonmarg. We could not do fishing because of the rains and the chill but we did enjoy the surroundings with a cup of tea served to us by the fishery department’s small office at the fishing point.

 

Kokernag

While returning to Srinagar, we took a halt at Kokernag, primarily to look at the famous trout fish hatchery . However, we discovered that Kokernag is also a famous picnic spot and tourist attraction. Basically, the real name of Kokernag is Bindoo Zalangam. It is a collection of many small springs and their collective appearance resembles to the claws of a Koker (cock). Kokernag is the largest fresh water spring of Kashmir and its water has many curative and digestive properties.
The word Kokernag has been derived from the two words namely, Koker and Nag. The word Koker has been taken from a Kashmiri word "Morgee" meaning chicken, while the word nag has been taken from Sanskrit word "Nag" meaning snake.

Kokernag is  also famous for its trout streams and the largest fresh water spring in Kashmir, Trout hatchery department which has constructed pools in series where in trout is reared. Different pools have got trout with different weights and ages. Department sells it to the tourists who find it a delicious dish and enjoy it. Kokernag is eight miles form Achabal and famous for the curative properties of its beautiful springs.
Kokernag has some historical importance also. Kokernag has been mentioned in Ain Akbari, where in it has been mentioned that the water of Kokernag satisfies both hunger and thirst and its is also a remedy for indigestion.