Kokernag Spring, also known as Papashudan Nad, is situated about 17 km south-east of
Anantnag, in
Jammu and Kashmir. It is the largest fresh water spring in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2021 m above sea level, Kokernag is a collection of many small springs and their collective appearance resembles to the claws of a Koker (cock). Kokernag houses a botanical and rose garden with a wide variety of flowers and shrubs.
Koker means 'fowl' and nag means 'serpent'. The spring gushes out of the base of a thickly wooded hill from where it divides into channels, which resembles to the claw-foot of a hen, hence its name.
Kokernag has a total area of 300 canals, of which 129 canals is for the purpose of gardens and 171 canals for forest area.
It is believed that its water has curative properties.
Kokernag has been mentioned in Ain-e-Akbari, the detailed gazetteer of Akbar’s empire. The curative and digestive properties of Kokernag spring water has also been mentioned in it.
Daksum and Verinag are other tourists spot located in the vicinity.
