Pahalgam - Valley of Shepherds OR Shepherds village

STATE - JAMMU-KASHMIR
   
DISTANCE - 94 KM From Srinagar

 
CONNECTION
 
By Air : Nearest airport to Pahalgam is at Srinagar which is around 95 kms away. It takes around 3 hrs to cover this distance by bus.

By Rail : The closest rail head to Pahalgam is Jammu Tawi in Jammu. The distance between the two centers is approximately 275 km. To cover the distance, it takes at least 8 hrs of drive.

By Road : State transport buses run to and fro from to Srinagar. Some private players also run their luxury and general coaches from Srinagar to Pahalgam.
 
ABOUT PAHALGAM
 
Pahalgam is a beautiful resort at confluence of Lidder river and the Sheshnag lake. The landscape is marked by steep hills, lush forests and the cascading Lidder river. Extremely popular with tourists, it is an important trekking base. One can trek or hire a pony to some of the most exotic locations -like, the vast meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded pine forests and scenic picnic spots like Hajan and Chandanwari. Pahalgam is located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the northern region of India. It is located at an altitude of 2130 m above sea level amidst the great Himalayan range.

Trekking, golf, fishing, angling and horse riding are the various activities which can be done in Pahalgam. Pahalgam Golf Club has a nine hole golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. The course is an expanse of relatively large plain area in a relatively narrow valley. The golf course can be used by tourists. Golf sets can be hired from the Tourist Office. This golf course is sometimes referred by the locals as the plateau. There is a golf club on one side of the plateau. Some parts of the plateau have been occupied by the military in the days of insurgency, leaving it out of bound of normal tourists. The tourists can also enjoy the fishing at the Lidder River. This river has excellent fishing beats for brown trout. The fishing season stretches from April to September. Permits are issued, for a maximum of three days at a time, on a first-come - first-served basis and are charged on a per day per rod basis. Fishing equipment can be hired in Srinagar. Live baits and spinning are not allowed. The environment in Pahalgam offers various trekking opportunities. The best time to take the trekking in Pahalgam is from April to June. Trekking in the high altitude area of Himalayas is not without hazards and must be done in the company of trained guides. One of the best known trekking route is from Pahalgam to Amarnath which covers Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN PAHALGAM
 
Baisaran : This meadow, about 5-km from Pahalgam and 150m higher, provides excellent views over the town and the Lidder valley. Pine forests and the snowclad mountains surround the grassy glen. One can hire ponies for this trek from near the centre of town.

Tulian Lake : If one continues 11-km beyond Baisaran one reaches the Tulian Lake at 3,353m, 1,200m higher up. It is covered in ice for much of the year and surrounded by peaks, which rise more than 300m above its shores. It also can be reached by pony trek.

Aru : The little village of Aru is actually the first stage from Pahalgam on the trek to Lidderwat and the Kolahoi glacier. It makes an interesting day walk from Pahalgam, following the Lidder river for Pahalgam, following the Lidder river for 11-km upstream. The main track, which also can be taken by car, is on the left bank of the river. There is also a less used, and more difficult path, on the right bank. At Aru one will often find the Gujars, living in their log huts with their flocks of sheep and goats, en route to the higher sheep and goats, en route to the higher pastures for the summer.

Hajan : Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.

Fishing : Pahalgam is one of Kashmir's popular trout fishing beats. Kashmir is famous for its trout although they tend to be rather small. Additionally, fishing licences are hard to get and rather expensive. A compulsion is to keep am guide and one is also permitted to catch six fishes, which is the daily limit.
 
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN PAHALGAM
 
Chandanwari & Passage To The Amarnath Yatra : Situated 16-km from Pahalgam, Chandanwari is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which takes place every year in the month of Sawan (Rain). The destination is the Amarnath Cave, believed to the abode of Lord Shiva. Although the road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain, and can be undertaken by car, from Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, being accessible on foot or by pony.

Mamaleshwara : Mamaleshwara is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was built in 12th century during the rule of King Jayasima, if not earlier. It is only a km away from Pahalgam. This stone temple witnesses a large number of locales coming to offer their prayers.
 
WHEN TO GO PAHALGAM
 
Summer is the best time to visit Pahalgam. However, the place can be visited during the annual Amarnath Yatra in July-August.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
The weather in Pahalgam is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild while winters (November-February) are cold. It experiences rains between July and September. It experiences heavy snowfall from December to February.
 
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN PAHALGAM
 
Pahalgam is the starting point of the annual Amarnath Yatra to the holy shrine of Amarnath. Amarnath is the holy abode of lord Shiva. Every year thousands of pilgrims visit the holy shrine during the month of July-August. Pahalgam serves as the right base to pilgrims visiting the holy cave of lord Shiva.
 
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN PAHALGAM
 
Pahalgam foods are: Chamani Qaliya, Choek Vangan, Dum Aloo, Muji Chetein, Nadeir Yakhean, Rista, Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Gushtaba.