Achabal

Achabal (Urdu pronunciation: [ət͡ʃʰəbəl]), also known as Achival (Kashmiri pronunciation: [at͡ʃʰiʋal]) in Kashmiri, is a town in Anantnag district, in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Achabal is an important tourist town about 8.1km away from Anantnag, and is notable for a Mughal garden called Achabal Gardens, holding an ancient spring surrounded by a terraced landscape 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). Cascades and fountains have been erected by Mughal Emperors. A mosque standing in the garden is believed to have been constructed by Mughal Prince Dara Shikoh. Achabal was once the pleasure retreat of Empress Nur Jahan. A trout hatchery is also located nearby.