Affectionately called Paradise on Earth, Kashmir valley is a popular tourist destination for its unmatched natural beauty. Some of its famous areas with enthralling scenic beauty include Anantnag, Gulmarg, Pehelgam and Kokernag. Kokernag, originally called Bindoo Zalangam, got its present name due to the fresh water spring, which oozes out of the bottom of a thickly forested hill from where it is separated into different canals that look like the claws of a hen. Koker means fowl; Nag: spring and hence the name Kokernag. This town is known for its beautiful gardens and captivating scenic beauty.

Famously called ‘The Pleasure Garden’, this Botanical Garden sits in the hub of Bringhi Valley in Kokernag at a distance of around 10 kilometers from Anantnag. Placed at an elevation of 6627 feet above the sea level, the garden sprawls over an area of 26 hectares.

Known for scenic beauty, the Botanical Garden sits surrounded by thick and dense pine trees. Offering a picturesque scene, the garden holds natural cool water spring. A major tourist attraction, this Botanical Garden is home to over one lakh species of flora including trees, roses, shrubs and bushes. Visitors also get to enjoy some modernized channels such as water ponds, rosary, Japanese bridges over cascading water stream, live garden seats and topiary works.

A sight of pure natural beauty, the Botanical Garden is well maintained and visited by thousands of tourists all year round. It is a well-known and famous garden all over the country.

About The Place

Earlier, Botanical Garden was laid in an area of about 0.8 hectares, which in 1969 was increased to 26 hectares by adding sprawling lawns and flora. Here visitors get to enjoy a wide variety of flowers and shrubs along with cool and pure water springs.

Known for history and beauty, Kokernag Botanical Garden has several kinds of roses woven around fresh water stream.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Botanical Garden is from March to October. The place, however, can be visited all through the year as it grants different hues during different seasons.

How to Reach

By Road

Kokernag is well connected with NH 1A and 1B. It’s nestled at a distance of 65 kilometers from Srinagar and 250 kilometers from Jammu. J&K State Transport operate daily buses on regular intervals to and fro Srinagar.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is the Jammu Tawi Railway station that is well connected with various Indian cities via rail. Situated at a distance of 290 kilometers, this station is well connected with cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum and Bangalore among others.

By Air

The closest airport is Srinagar Airport, which has frequent flights operating from major cities of India such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Jammu.