‘Boar Town’ [Varahakshetra, Varmul] City, Jammu & Kashmir
From Skt: varaha, ‘boar’; and mūla, ‘place’, ‘foundation’
This ancient town developed around a shrine dedicated to Varaha the boar, the third avatara or incarnation of Vishnu.
Varaha is depicted as a boar-headed figure with the body of a man, holding the Earth goddess on his tusks and symbolising the restoration of cosmic order (dharma) and the protection of the Earth and its inhabitants
The town is on the northern side of the valley on the banks of the Jhelum river. It is at an elevation of around 1,600m surrounded by mountains, lush valleys, and dense forests.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Jammu & Kashmir place names.
