Nestled in the foothills of Pir Panjal range in Qazigund, often referred to as a gateway to the beautiful Vale of Kashmir, lies Panzath Nag. The small village is known for its numerous mini springs, from which the name ‘Panzath Nag’, or ‘land of 500 springs’, comes from. The sound of cascading water fills the air, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The landscape is a convergence of sparkling streams and glistening pools, all originating from different sources. Water flows from every direction, converging into one grand spectacle.
According to local Zahid Ahmad Rather, the spring has three sections, and each one is designated to specific villages. ‘D’rain Soth, Wampur Soth, and Panzath Soth are for each village bearing their names,’ he added.
Every year, the residents celebrate festivals associated with the spring, also known as Nag Mouj, ‘mother of all springs’. People from all age groups come together to participate in an annual spring cleaning and fishing event, breathing life into a cherished tradition locally known as Rooh’an Pooash, or ‘flowering of the souls’.
Visitors both young and old join the collective celebration. Mohd Khalil Niyavoo, an elder from the community, claims this tradition to be 900 years old. ‘My great-grandfather used to teach me about the village, and had informed me that when he was a kid, this tradition was taught to him by his grandfather, [who] learnt it from his,’ he recalled.
During the cleaning festival, over 200 enthusiastic individuals gather around the spring, armed with their wicker baskets, nets, and carrier bags. They enter the water body as one to clean the spring. The constant movement stirs up the silt, and the collective effort effectively removes the stubborn weeds that have taken root. The water is rejuvenated, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving their natural environment.
‘The flow and levels of water are naturally maintained; we [have] never experienced flooding, even when we live in close proximity to the water body. However, in winters, the water level is down, but the water in the spring turns warm instead of cold, we can see vapours on the surface of water. When spring starts in the month of March, the water cools down and is refreshing throughout the summer,’ Niyavoo added.
This extraordinary feature of the village has for years made it a popular destination for nature-lovers, attracting locals and tourists alike. Panzath Nag is surrounded by rivulets, thick coniferous trees, and towering Himalayas—all of this has fostered the locals’ deep connection with the natural world. This sense of belonging has, many believe, contributed to the preservation of the local environment.
The convergence of the water springs is also responsible for the rich biodiversity in Panzath Nag. The abundance of water has created a haven for numerous plant and animal species. The surrounding forests teem with life, and the songs of birds and insects fill the air.
Each spring in Panzath Nag has its own unique characteristics. Some are renowned for their crystal-clear water, perfect for drinking or refreshing oneself. Others are believed to possess healing properties, with locals and visitors submerging themselves in these natural pools to rejuvenate their bodies and minds.
‘It is believed that if you drink water from this spring, you are blessed, and all your health issues and ailments [will be] resolved,’ local Khursheed Ahmad Atari said.
The springs are an integral part of the village’s culture and folklore, with numerous tales and legends associated with their origins.
‘We have heard a lot of Wan-Wun (wedding songs) during nights. It has been happening for a long time, and we know it’s the fairies that do it,” said Abdul Rashid, who works in the water supply department.
Fishing also serves as a clever ruse to entice participants into the water. While the main objective is to clean the spring, the act of fishing has been ingeniously woven into the tradition. Fishing has become an integral part of the festivities, made special by this once-in-a-year event.
Freshly-caught, local fish are considered a delicacy, and the anticipation of enjoying this culinary delight further fuels the participants’ enthusiasm. The clinking sound of the baskets and the vibrant colours of the nets create a mesmerising scene as the crowd wades into the water. Excitement fills the air, and the spirit of camaraderie permeates every corner of the spring. Each catch is a triumph, a testament to the collective effort that has gone into revitalising this cherished water body.
Among the participants, it is the children who are the most thrilled. Their faces light up with unbridled joy as they immerse themselves in the spirit of the festivities. For them, it is not only a day of cleaning and fishing, but also a day of adventure and discovery. Haji Abdul Salaam, the village head, spoke about the origins of this tradition: ‘When the village elders decided to clean the spring, they realised that the water was too deep to clean with shovels and tools. They decided to bring people together and let them spend time in the water.’
It worked, because the water and the life in it is considered sacred, and fishing is prohibited throughout the year except for one day: the day of the festival. Salaam believes his village to be one of the most beautiful places in the valley, but one that has been ignored by the authorities.
‘We can clearly see how murky the water has become, as silt and waste are being washed away. Now we don’t need to clean the water till next year. This is our way, and it has been going on for centuries,’ he stressed.
The very next day, in every home, the comforting aroma of homemade wheat flour rotis fills the air, as the women skilfully knead and shape the dough. While the women busy themselves in the kitchen, the children venture into the lush surroundings, collecting vibrant flowers that will later become part of a ritual. As the sun starts to descend, the hour of a congregational prayer arrives, where men, women, and children gather to seek solace in their faith. In this tranquil moment, the villagers come together to offer heartfelt prayers for peace, prosperity, and protection.
After the daily prayer, the men and children make their way to the respective ancestral graveyard. The children follow in the footsteps of their fathers and grandfathers, each step a poignant reminder of the passage of time and the enduring bond between generations. Arriving at the grave sites, the men and children kneel, clutching the flowers they collected earlier in the day. With each delicate petal placed, they pay homage to the departed. This marks the end of the festivities.
‘Recognising the significance of their natural treasure, the people of the village have taken steps to protect and preserve it. […] Their efforts have been rewarded, as the springs continue to thrive.’
‘In this heartfelt act of remembrance, the village finds solace and strength,’ one villager commented.
The villagers of Panzath Nag have learned to harness the power of the springs for their daily needs. The water is channelled into an intricate network of canals and channels, providing irrigation to the surrounding agricultural lands. The fertile soil, nourished by these abundant waters, yields bountiful crops like rice, corn, and vegetables native to the region.
The village has become self-sufficient, relying on the springs for sustenance and prosperity. Further, the spring provides an essential supply of water for over 35 villages along its path, as well as a number of fish hatcheries. In addition to giving local communities a means of support, these fish hatcheries help to preserve and replenish the local fish population. Hatcheries have contributed to the economy by promoting environmentally friendly practises and bringing attention to the value of protecting natural water supplies. They have also become hubs for environmental research.
The locals, however, claim that the majority of the springs have dried up as a result of pollution and encroachment. There are no official records of the springs that once poured out from the village, which makes proving this difficult. This highlights the importance of the cleansing festival.
Faiz Bakhshi, a renowned environmentalist, said that the tradition of this systematic method with which the people of Panzath Nag clean their source of water annually is extremely important and can be applied to many waterbodies like these in the valley.
‘Due to siltation, the aquifers get blocked, and the waterbody turns stagnant and eventually dies, so when the people from Panzath Nag move around in their spring, churning it, the silt and weeds are lifted from the bottom and the running water carries it all away, which clears the aquifers and keeps the springs of Panzath Nag alive. This method is a testament to how one small step can make a difference for generations to come,’ he explained.
Recognising the significance of their natural treasure, the people of the village have taken steps to protect and preserve it. They have implemented strict conservation measures to ensure that the springs remain untouched by pollution or human interference. The community has embraced sustainable practices, avoiding activities that could harm the delicate ecosystem. Their efforts have been rewarded, as the springs continue to thrive.
