|
Location: 95-km
From Srinagar, Kashmir Region, J&K
Altitude: 2,130m
Main Attractions: Mamaleshwara, Baisaran, Tulian Lake, Aru
Best Time To Visit: In Summer - May To September In Winter
- November To February
The Valley Of
Shepherds
 At
an altitude of 2,130m and about 95-km from Srinagar , Pahalgam is
probably the most popular hill resort in the Kashmir valley. Since
it is rather lower than Gulmarg the nighttime temperatures do not
drop so low and it has the further advantage of the beautiful
Lidder River running right through the town.
Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag
Rivers and surrounded by soaring, fir-covered mountains with bare,
snow-capped peaks rising behind them. The Aru flows down from the
Kolahoi glacier beyond Lidderwat while the Sheshnag from glaciers
along the great Himalayan.
At the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder and
Sheshnag Lake, Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with
breathtaking views. Now it Kashmir's premier resort, cool even
during the height of summer. A number of hotels and lodges cater
to all preferences and budgets, from luxurious to unpretentious
trekkers' lodges, including JKTDC's delightfully romantic, fully
furnished huts, partially concealed by giant pine trees.
Pahalgam Walks
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 can also be used
as a starting point for treks out of the region. 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.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
 Around
Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is
set between fairly hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than
walking. Pony fares are posted at prominent locations.
Mamaleshwara
Mamaleshwara is only a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
EXCURSIONS
On The Road To
Pahalgam
The road to Pahalgam starts out towards Jammu but later branches
off to the east at Anantnag. There are a number of points of
interest along this route including several Mughal gardens -
indeed if one take a bus tour to Pahalgam one'll be thoroughly
saturated with Mughal gardens by the time one arrives.
Pampore 
Only 16-km out of Srinagar on the main highway south, Pampore is
the Centre of Kashmir's saffron industry. Highly prized for it's
flavouring and colouring properties and rather expensive, saffron
is gathered from flowers, which are harvested in October.
Avantipur
This popular stop on Pahalgam excursions is noted for its two
ruined Hindu temples. The temples were both constructed by King
Avantivarman, after whom this ancient centre was named, between
855 and 883 AD. The larger of the two is dedicated to Vishnu and
known as the Avantiswami temple. A huge wall encloses the central
shrine with four smaller shrines around the centre. The other
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and known as the Avantishvara, is
about a km before the Vishnu temple, but also close to the main
road. It is situated in a courtyard, enclosed by a massive
stonewall with a gateway on the western side. The nearby village
of Bijbihara has a huge Chinar tree, claimed to be the largest in
Kashmir.
Sangam
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.
Anantnag
At this point the road fords, one route turning northeast to
Pahalgam and two others southeast to Achabal and Kokarnag or to
Verinag. The Jammu road leaves this route just before Anantnag at
Khanabal.
Anantnag has a number of sulphur springs, esteemed for their
curative properties. The largest spring is believed to be the home
of Ananta, the serpent on which Lord Vishnu reclines and from
which the town takes its name - 'Abode of Ananta'. Ananta means
'endless' and the water issues from the base of a small hillock
and rushes into another spring in the middle of which is a natural
mineral deposit column which the locals revere as a lingam. On the
14th day of a full moon fortnight in September/October, there is a
festival where the people fast and pour rice and milk into the
spring to feed the goldfish.
At one time Anantnag was known as Islamabad but this name is no
longer used, due to the confusion it would cause with the not too
far distant capital of Pakistan also named Islamabad.
Achabal
The Mughal gardens in this small town were begun by Nur Jahan and
completed by Jahanara, daughter of Shah Jahan, in 1640. It's one
of the most carefully designed of the Kashmir gardens and was said
to be a favourite retreat of Nur Jahan. Water from a copious
spring flows from the garden in three stone lined canals, over
three terraces and three cascades, with several fountains in the
main canal. There are three pavilions on the upper terrace, shaded
by Chinar Trees. There's a tourist bungalow, tourist huts and a
camping ground at Achabal.
Kokarnag
One may be suffering garden overload by the time one gets here,
but Kokarnag has yet another one, noted for its roses. Like
Achabal there is a tourist bungalow, tourist huts and a camping
ground for accommodation.
Daksum
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.
Mattan & Martand
Only a few km beyond Anantnag, on the Pahalgam road, Mattan is an
important Hindu pilgrimage point due to its fish filled springs. A
complicated legend relates that the springs were created when Lord
Shiva broke open an egg, which had been thrown there, the egg
being the reincarnated form of a forgetful boy, who had been
cursed by a wandering sage and that's only half the story!
On a plateau above Mattan and 3-km to the south, stands the huge
ruined temple of Martand. Built by Lalitaditya Mukhtapida 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.
The courtyard was surrounded by 84 columns - the multiple of the
number of days in the week by the number of signs in the zodiac.
From here to Pahalgam the road follows the course of the Lidder
River, past some good trout fishing stretches.
Verinag
Close to the foot of the Pir Panjal range, the spring at Verinag
is said to be the source of the Jhelum river, which flows north
through Srinagar, Jehangir built an octagonal stone basin at the
spring in 1612 and in 1620 his son, Shah Jahan, laid out a garden
around it. The spring is said to be over 15m deep and is reputed
never to dry up or overflow. There is also a tourist bungalow at
Verinag.
HOW TO REACH THERE
Air: Pahalgam
is in Anantnag District and is about 96-km from Srinagar. The
nearest airport is in Badgam District. This Airport is connected
with all the major cities of India. Rail: The nearest Rail Head is
at Jammu and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir
valley with India.
Road: The road to Pahalgam can be taken to Khannabal or
alternatively from Bijbehara villages from National Highway NH1A.
Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis
ply on this Highway. It takes around 10 to 12 hours to cross this
mountainous road, which crosses some beautiful spots and the
famous Jawahar Tunnel linking Kashmir Valley with India. Bus
service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag, which leave at
fixed time from the Bus stands. Taxis and other sort of transport
can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates. Assistance is
available at Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. On Road to
Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with
important spots of Mattan and Aishmuqam.
WHERE TO STAY
Pahalgam has a
number of Hotels and lodges of various types, which are open only
during summer months. JKTDC has a Dak Bungalow and number of Huts,
which are available on hire. The tariffs depend on the type of
accommodation to be hired. Accomodation needs to be booked well in
advance from Srinagar. Tourists are advised to contact Manager
Tourist Reception centre Jammu/Srinagar for booking and Tariffs.
Hotel bookings can be executed from their representatives in
Srinagar the list of which can be had from the JKTDC.
MORE TOURIST INFORMATION
The tourist office
is just around the corner from the bus halt, on the main road.
They may be able to help with hiring porters or ponies. Fishing
permits have to be obtained in Srinagar. There is a bank in
Pahalgam and a post office during the tourist season. If one is
planning on trekking from Pahalgam there are plenty of shops
selling food supplies although it's cheaper and more plentiful in
Srinagar. If trekking is altogether too strenuous Pahalgam also
offers the Pahalgam club with tennis courts, badminton courts, a
golf course and card evenings!
NEARBY CITIES
Srinagar : 95-km
Pampore: 16-km
Avantipur: 29-km
Sangam: 35-km
Anantnag: 56-km
Kokernag: 77-km
Daksum: 90-km
|
