 |
| |
 |
| |
| |
| |
| Best
Time to Visit |
: |
|
In Summer - May
to September |
|
In Winter - November
to February. |
|
|
| |
This
world famous hill station Pahalgam is
45 Kms. from the District Head Quarter
at Anantnag and is about 96 Kms from
Srinagar, at a height of 2240 m is situated
at the union of the streams flowing
from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river
in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
The origin of Pahalgam is obscure. Mughal
rulers ruled this region in the medieval
period. It was later a part of the Kingdom
of Kashmir, which was ruled by local
Hindu rulers. This princely state remained
independent even during the British
period and later on merged into independent
India. Once a humble shepherd's village
with awesome vistas, Pahalgam is now
Kashmir's premier resort, cool even
during the height of summer when the
maximum temperature does not exceed
250C.
Pahalgam has numerous places of tourist's
interest. It is one among the five tehsils
of Anantnag district and tehsil head
quarters are located in the main town
of Pahalgam. Once a great tourist puller
and favourite place for shooting of
Bollywood films is perhaps the best
health resort in the country. Pahalgam
also serves as base camp for the famous
Amarnath Ji Yatra. The Pahalgam Valley
presents glamorous look due to its pine
forests, snow clad mountains, healthy
climate and vast meadows and pastures.
Pahalgam skirts Lidder river and torrential
flow of water in Lidder river enriches
the awesome beauty of the Valley. Pahalgam
is the starting point for several trekking
trails, such as to the Kolohoi Glacier,
Amarnath, Zanskar and Kargil. |
| Thing
to do |
Pahalgam
is an ideal spot for adventure. There
are many short walks available from
Pahalgam and in addition it is an excellent
base for longer treks such as those
to the Kolahoi glacier or to the Amarnath
cave. Pahalgam is the starting point
of a number of trekking and hiking trails
to the surrounding mountains. Pahalgam
is particularly famed for its many shepherds
and they're a common sight, driving
their flocks of sheep along the paths
all around the town.
And the other, Liddar River is also
popular among travelers interested in
angling. Stretches of this river are
suitable for trout fishing. Travelers
interested in fishing have to obtain
a fishing license from the Directorate
of Fisheries in Srinagar. Pahalgam is
the starting point of a number of trekking
and hiking trails to the surrounding
mountains. |
| Prime
Attractions in Pahalgam |
Pahalgam
is a small hill station. The town provides
a panoramic view of the lush green hilly
environs. Travelers can enjoy the scenic
beauty of this place by taking a walk
around. Today, the Pahalgam is very
rich in tourist spots. A nature lover's
paradise, the famous hill resort of
Pahalgam offers a lot of sites to visit.
Few of them are -
Mamaleshwara,
is only 1 km or so downstream from Pahalgam,
and on the opposite side of the Lidder,
is this small Shiva temple with its
square, stone tank. It is thought to
date from the reign of king Jayasima
in the 12th century, even earlier. Martand,
the lofty plateau, on which the remains
of the ancient temple of Martanda stand,
overlooks the modern village of Matan,
located at its foot.
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.
Mattan & Martand,
only a few km beyond Anantnag, on the
Pahalgam road, Mattan is a Hindu pilgrimage
point due to its fish filled springs.
On a plateau above Mattan and 3-km to
the south, stands the huge ruined temple
of Martand (Sun). Built by Lalitaditya
Mukhtapida (8th- century AD) it is the
most impressive ancient ruin in Kashmir
and beautifully sited. The ruins are
67m by 43m and consist of a portico
with a small-detached shrine on both
side and a quadrangular courtyard. 84
columns surrounded the courtyard - the
multiple of the number of days in the
week by the number of signs in the zodiac.
Overa Wildlife Sanctuary,
is located 76-km from Srinagar, near
Pahalgam, spans in an area of 32.27
sq-kms. The area is home to a number
of rare, endangered and protected species
of birds and mammals. |
| And the other, excursions from Pahalgam are - |
Chandanwari
& Passage To The Amarnath Yatra
(16Km.), 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.
Located 11-km from Chandanwari is the
mountain lake of Sheshnag, after which
13-km away is the last stop, Panchtarni.
The Amarnath cave is 6-km away from
there. During the month of 'Sawan',
an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivling
(also spelt as Shivlinga), which waxes
and wanes with the phases of the moon.
The state government makes extensive
arrangements every year for the successful
completion of the pilgrimage, registering
each one of the over one lakh pilgrims,
pony owners and Dandi Walas, providing
camps en route, and ensuring safe, comfortable
and speedy progress of the Yatris. Even
if one's visit to Pahalgam is not during
the period of the Yatra, one can still
take a pony ride up to Sheshnag Lake,
returning late evening.
Daksum (90Km.), somewhat
above Kokarnag, along the bring river
valley, there's the small hill resort
of Daksum at 2,438m. It's on the trekking
route to Kishtwar and has a Rest house,
Tourist Bungalow and plenty of camping
spots. From Daksum the trail rises fairly
steeply to the Sinthan Pass at 3,748m.
The pass is open from April to September
for trekkers.
Sangam (35Km.), a little
further down the road, Sangam is interesting
for its strong local industry of cricket
bat manufacturing! One'll see thousands
of cricket bats displayed by the roadside
and thousands more roughly cut lengths
of wood being seasoned.
Tulian Lake (16 km),
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. |
| How
to reach |
Pahalgam
can be easily accessed through air or
road.
By Air: The nearest
airport is at Srinagar, which is 95
km from Pahalgam. This Airport is connected
with all the major cities of India.
By Rail: The nearest
Rail Head is at Jammu and from there
National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir
valley with India.
By Road: It is well
connected by road with Srinagar. The
travel time between the two is 2½
hours. Travelers can either use bus
or taxi from Pahalgam to reach Srinagar.
Tourists can hire guided ponies and
horses to explore Pahalgam and the areas
around it. |
| So,
what are you waiting for...!!
Just pack your bags and Get going for
the most adventurous vacation of your
lifetime in Pahalgam with us. |
| |
| |
 |
| |
|
|
|
