Baramulla district

Baramulla district or Varmul (in Kashmiri) is one of the 20 districts in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. Baramulla town is the administrative headquarters of this district. The district covered an area of in 2001, but it was reduced to at the time of 2011 census. In 2016, the district administration said that the area was . Muslims constitute about 98% of the population among which Shia Muslims form 30-35% and Sunni Muslims form 65-70%. Etymology The name Baramulla, meaning "Boar's Molar Place," is derived from two Sanskrit words Varaha (Boar) and Mula. According to Hindu texts, the Kashmir Valley was once a lake called Satisaras, the lake of Parvati (consort of Shiva). Brahmin texts state that the lake was occupied by a demon, Jalodbhava, until Lord Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and struck the mountain with his molar at Baramulla (ancient Varahamula). He bored an opening in it where the lake water flowed out. History Ancient and medieval The city of Baramulla, from which the district derives its name, was founded by Raja Bhimsina in 2306 BCE.