Anantnag

Anantnag is a district in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in India. This district is a part of the Kashmir Valley with its headquarter at Anantnag from which it derives its name. It is located between 33°44′N 75°09′E and 33.73°N 75.15°E at an elevation of 5,400 feet (1,600 m) above sea level. It has an average elevation of 1601 metres (5252 feet).

The town derived its name from the great spring Ananta Naga issuing at the center of the city. Anant Naga literally means countless springs and therefore the area meant a land of the countless springs. The spring is mentioned in the Neelmat Purana as a sacred place for the Hindus.

According to some ancient mythological stories, Lord Shiv during his journey to Amarnath cave left all his valuables on the way and this was the place where he supposedly left countless number of serpents residing on him and afterwards this place became known as Anant Naga.

It was also known as Kashyapteshwara in ancient times, the name which was derived from a sage (Rishi) Kashyapa.

It has two hot water (sulphur) springs and countless fresh water springs.

Population of the district as per Census 2011 was 1078692. Area of the district is 3574 sq km.

History

This place is known to human civilization from Mythological era and we find its name in some Puranas (Hindu Mythologies). Anantnag is an ancient city which came into existence as a market town around 5000 B.C. It has witnessed many vicissitudes and experienced many upheavals from time to time. Althogh Hugel found here some monuments of the Mughal period in ruins when he visited Jammu and Kashmir in 1835, no significant ancient building or archaeological site is found in the district today except the Martand temple as most of the ancient architectural monuments in the area were destroyed during rule of Sikander Hyat Khan.

The majestic Martand temple is one of the important archaeological sites of the State.

The Mughal Emperors especially Jehangir developed many beauty spots of the district, but they did not survive and we have little traces of them left.

Politics

Vidhan Sabha constituencies and their extent after delimitation order of 2022

41. Dooru Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Dooru and Shahabad Bala Tehsils, Kokernag Tehsil (Part) - Bahie, Ohi Bumdoora, Akingam, Sagam and Nagam PCs.

42. Kokernag Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Larnoo Tehsil, Kokernag Tehsil (Part) - Kokernag Tehsil excluding Bahie, Ohi Burndoora,, Akingam, Sagarn and Nagam PCs and Shangus Tehsil (Part) - Chaklipora, Chittergul and Uttrusoo PCs.

43. Anantnag West Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Qazigund Tehsil, Anantnag Tehsil (Part) - Khanabal, Ruhoo, Urhanhall, L.G. Pora, Khandipahari, K.G. Raina, Nipora, Hurdischan, Kamad, Shaibabad and Imoh PCs.

44. Anantnag Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Anantnag Tehsil (Part) - Anantnag Tehsil excluding Khanabal, Ruhoo, Urhanhall, L.G. Pora, Khandipahari, K.G. Raina, Nipora, Hurdischan, Kamad, Shaibabad and Imoh PCs.

45. Srigufwara Bijbehara Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Bijbehara and Srigufwara Tehsils.

46. Shangus Anantnag East Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Anantnag East Tehsil, Shangus Tehsil (Part) - Shangus Tehsil excluding Chaklipora, Chittergul and Uttrusoo PCs.

47. Pahalgam Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Pahalgam and Sallar Tehsils.

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitation order of 2008
The above Order for the State of Jammu and Kashmir is as per the details given in Order No. 1 of the Delimitation Commission, Jammu and Kashmir notified in the Central and the State Gazettes on 27th April, 1995.

40 Anantnag Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 1-Qasba Bhagat, 2-Khanabal, 3-Roohoo, 4-Kamar, 5-Anchidoora, 6-Hardu- Chichan, 10-Ranbirpora in tehsil Anantnag.

41 Devsar Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Jammu and Kashmir - PCs 27-Devsar, 28-Bona Devsar, 29-Kilam-Buzgam, 30-Hablishi, 31-Nipora, 32-Laram- Ganipora, 33-Chowgam, 35-Razloo, 36-Walterngu, 37-Sopat Tengora, 62-Oral in tehsil Kulgam; and PCs 18-Vesoo, 19-Nasoo-Bandargund, 20-Panzeth, 21-Kurigam, 23-Qazigund with NAC in Doru tehsil.

42 Doru Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 1-Dooru, 2-Bragam, 3-Oibamdooth, 4-Mantpora, 5-Larkipora, 6-Hakura-Badasgam, 7-Batgund, 8-Verinag, 9-Sadiwara, 10-Mundah, 11-Hiller, 12-Nowgam Shahabad, 13- Rain- Chowgund, 14-Thamankoot, 15-Qamar, 16-Hisidar, 17-Kapron, 22-Wangund in tehsil Dooru.

43 Kokernag Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 28-Saagam, 29-Bider-Hayatpora, 30-Bhai, 31-Akingam, 32-Nagam, 33-Soof-Shali, 34-Panzgam, 35-Bindo-Zulangam, 36-Devalgam, 37-Nalla Sund-Brari, 38-Lohar-Sanzi, 39-Ahlan-Gadol, 40-Kharatti, 41-Desoo, 42-Kharapora, 43-Qasba-Nowbugh, 44-Mati Hundoo, 45-Larnoo, 46-Kokernag NAC, 47-Achabal NAC in tehsil Anantnag.

44 Shangus Vidhan Sabha Constituency - PCs 13-Sahibabad, 14-Nowgam, 15-Imoh, 16-Brakapora, 17-Shangus, 18-Uttarsoo, 19-Kreri, 20-Chatergul, 21-Ghikalpora, 22- Ranipora, 23-Detho-Nagnarian, 24- Gopalpora, 25-Telwani, 26-Kwarigam, 27-Ahupaisan in tehsil Anantnag.

45 Bijbehara Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Bijbehara and PCs 7-Macha Bawan, 11-Nanilang, 12-Akora in tehsil Anantnag.

46 Pahalgam Vidhan Sabha Constituency - All PCs in tehsil Pahalgam and PCs 8-Seer-Kanligund, 9-Salia in tehsil Anantnag.