The Jhelum Or Vitasta Essay
The Jhelum is called Vyath in Kashmiri. The river was earlier known as Vitasta. It originates from the famous spring of Verinag. It is a thin stream in the beginning. It is so thin that even a hen can cross it. Many streams join it in its onward journey. Later it becomes a mighty river.
There are some important towns like Islamabad, Bijbehara, Pampore, Srinagar, Shadipur, Sumbal and Sopore on the banks of this river. Lower down it goes into the Wular Lake. From there it glows through Sopore and Baramulla. Boats, houseboats and Shikaras are seen sailing over it from Khanabal to Baramulla. From Baramulla onwards, it flows through a mountainous course with s great force and speed.
No boats can move over this hilly course. Srinagar stands on both sides of the Jhelum. There are many bridges in the city over the Jhelum to connect its right and left banks.
