Achabal: Saheb and Begum’s Retreat

Achabal is a small town, just a short drive from the clamour of Anantnag. Its famous garden is a stunning example of a Kashmiri Mughal garden. It is also the best base for a visit to Martand, home to Kashmir’s most famous ancient temple.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Not many tourists reach Achabal and there is not much to distract you from your reverie. You can stay close to the garden and go for pleasant walks and drives.

Achabal Garden

This garden was built in 1620 by Empress Noor Jehan and named Begumabad in her honour. Though Jehangir himself did not create this garden, it has yet another name, after him – Sahebabad. The lawns are laid with a hill as the backdrop, and a spring emerges from a few places from under the hill; the water flows in a canal and branches through the garden. Platforms and pavilions are dotted along the course of the water. Faithful to the Persian concept of chaar bagh, it is quadripartite, with the walkways lined with trees and flowers.

Walking around in the garden is a lovely experience. Around you will be giant chinars, a rich green in summer and a glowing red in autumn; bushes and flowers sitting pretty in the beds underneath; a hill behind packed with pine trees; and a few locals.

Trout Farm

Close to the main market chowk in Achabal is a Trout Breeding Farm run by the J&K Fisheries Department (W jkfisheries.in). You can see the fish here and buy some if you like.

The Mughal garden in Achabal

Courtesy J&K Tourism

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

A couple of minutes’ walk from the garden, JKTDC’s Alpine Hotel (Cell: 09797027927; Tariff: ₹4,000) has one two-room hut. Next door, J&K Tourism has seven doubles (Cell: 09906815898; Tariff: ₹500) but without attached bath. JKTDC runs a cafetaria called Zaiqa right across from the Mughal Garden. You can eat here or an attendant can deliver the food to your room.

When to go April to September Location At 5,535 ft, Achabal is located near the bustling commercial centre of Anantnag, on the way to Brengi Valley Air Nearest airport: Srinagar Rail Nearest rail: Jammu