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Information about Pahalgam
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Pahalgam is situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from the Lidder river and Sheshnag lake. Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. Now, Pahalgam is the famous hill resort in Kashmir valley and cool even during the summer. This hill resort is set between fairly steep hills. Its natural splendor is described by snow clad mountain peeks on all sides, a white water river that traverses the bottoms of the narrow valley, and the wonderful weather. While Gulmarg was the favourite summer resort of the British during the Raj, rich Indians patronized Pahalgam. Climatic conditions favour tent life and visitors prefer to spend their holidays under the rivers. The flora and fauna is good and the scenery is also captivating. Pahalgam is also the base point for undertaking the trekking to Amarnath Cave. Foreign visitors like Pahalgam because they can relax in a surrounding that compares favourably with the Swiss Alps or they can undertake adventure treks into the high altitude meadows. The best time to visit Pahalgam is during the summers, between mid
of April to mid of November. |
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Adventure Activities in Pahalgam |
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Trekking, golf, fishing, angling and horse riding are the various activities which can be done in Pahalgam. Pahalgam 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. 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.
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Trekking in Pahalgam |
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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. Tents and pack ponies can also be hired in Pahalgam for a trek to the 11,800 feet high Kolahoi Glacier. The trek can be done in three days. On the way to Kolahoi glacier, you can also share your camping grounds with nomadic
Bakarwals. The Bakarwals are the shepherds who move into higher grounds to let their sheep, goats and buffaloes graze. The men are tall, sturdy and handsome. Their women plait their hair into hundreds of tiny braids. They move with families, children tied on the back of ponies with
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pots
and pans. On the way to the glacier is a beautiful resting spot, known as
Lidderwat. Lidderwat is a beautiful camping site set among dense forests. Although the sun shines brightly here, yet the tall encircling pines keep the shades very dark. After moving from
Lidderwat, you will reach at the Kalahoi glacier. This is the great frozen river that stands motionless. And, if you drink a little bit of the melted water, you feel great relief. |
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Tourist Attractions in Pahalgam |
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There are various places of tourist interest around Pahalgam. As this resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth visiting the places on a pony rather than walking. Some of these famous places are Baisaran, Mamal, Aru, Chandanwari, Sheshnag, Panchtarni and the holy Amarnath Cave.
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Chandanwari
Chandanwari is located about 16 kms from Pahalgam. It
lies at an elevation of 2,923 m. It is famous for its snow bridge. This is the starting point of the Amarnath
yatra, which takes place every year during July-August. The road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari is on fairly flat terrain and can be travelled by car. From Chandanwari onwards the track becomes much steeper, and is accessible on foot or by pony. |
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Sheshnag
From Chandanwari, the next stoppage is at Shehsnag. The mountain lake of Sheshnag is situated about 11 kms from
Chandanwari. The waters of this greenish blue lake are covered with ice till June.
Panchtarni
Panchtarni is the last stoppage of the Amarnath Yatra. Panchtarni is located about 13 kms away from Sheshnag. It is the confluence of five streams that gives Panchtarni its name. A narrow spiralling path from Panchtarni leads to the Amarnath Cave. The Amarnath cave is 6 kms away from there. |
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Amarnath Cave
The Amarnath Cave is situated about 44.8 kms. from
Pahalgam. It takes about five days to reach the Amarnath Cave from
Pahalgam. The Amaranth cave is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Amarnath cave is situated on the mountains of Lidder valley amidst iced snow at a height on 13,000 feet. The thousands of Hindu pilgrims undertake the tour
(yatra) to the Amarnath Cave from all parts of India in the month of Sawan (July-August) to have a glimpse of Shivlinga formed from iced snow. According to the legend, the Lord Shiva narrated to Parvati the secret of creation, in the caves of
Amarnath. Without their knowledge, a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their conversation and having learnt it, they were reborn over and over again and since, have made this cave their eternal abode. Many pilgrims have spotted these doves here. During the month of
Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shivling which waxes and wanes with the phases of the moon. The most auspicious occasion to visit Amarnath for a pilgrimage is on the night of the full moon in the month of
Sawan. The |
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Amarnath yatra is done only once in the month of July to August as it is totally cut off from the rest of the world during winter. The dates of the yatra varies every year due to the weather conditions and according to Purnima
(Raksha Bandhan) in the month of Sawan. |
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Mamal
Mamal is one of tiny village in Pahalgam. A Shiva temple is also situated here, which is considered to be one of the oldest existing temple in Kashmir, dating to the 5th century.
Aru
Aru is a charming meadow that can be reached by walking along a mountain path. The Lidder river disappears at Gur Khumb and reappears after 27
mts.
Baisaran
Baisaran is one of the most beautiful place in
Pahalgam. Baisaran is situated about 5 kms. from
Pahalgam. The huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran is surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine which presents a picturesque view of the snow-clad mountains. |
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How to reach
Pahalgam |
By Air:
The nearest airport is located in Badgam District.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is located at Jammu.
By Road:
Pahalgam can be reached from Srinagar and Anantnag. |
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