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Pahalgam

Pahalgom
Pahalgam Pahalgom
Town
	View of valley in Pahalgam town, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
	Pahalgam Location in Jammu and Kashmir, India Pahalgam Pahalgam (India)
	Coordinates: 34°01′N 75°11′E / 34.01°N 75.19°E
Country	India
Union Territory	Jammu and Kashmir
District	Anantnag
Elevation	2,740 m (8,990 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	5,922
Languages
• Official	Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	192126
Vehicle registration	JK-03
Website	anantnag.nic.in/tourist-place/pahalgam/

Pahalgam (Urdu pronunciation: [pɛhɛlɡɑːm]), known as Pahalgom (Kashmiri pronunciation: [pəhəlʲɡoːm]; lit. 'village of shepherds' in Kashmiri)^[3] is a town and a notified area committee, near Anantnag city in the Anantnag district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8] It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. Its lush green meadows and pristine waters attract thousands of tourists from all over the world each year.^[9] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the headquarters of one of the eleven tehsils of Anantnag district.

Pahalgam is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam. The town is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July–August, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists. Because of its religious significance and role as a base camp, the town attracts 70% of visitors to the valley.^[10] This flood of tourists overwhelms some of the local infrastructure, especially waste management in the town.^[10]

Etymology

The name Pahalgam is derived from two Kashmiri words;

Puheyl (shepherd) and goam (village) over the time became Puheylgoam or Pahalgam.^{[citation needed]} The place acts as a gateway to many meadows and pastures and traditional Bakharwal communities settle there from spring season to pre-winter, herding their cattle.

According to Hindu traditions, Pahalgam was originally called Bail Gaon (बैल गाँव) meaning (village of bull (nandi)), in other words, where Shiva left his bull before entering Amarnath Cave.^[11]

Geography

Pahalgam is located at 34°01′N 75°11′E / 34.01°N 75.19°E / 34.01; 75.19.^[12] Pahalgam holds a central position in the Lidder Valley. It has an average elevation of 2,740 metres (8,990 ft).

Climate

Pahalgam has a temperate climate with long and cold winter and short and mild summer.^{[citation needed]}

Climate data for Pahalgam (1991–2020, extremes 1978–2020)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	13.8 (56.8)	17.6 (63.7)	23.9 (75.0)	27.4 (81.3)	30.8 (87.4)	32.0 (89.6)	31.5 (88.7)	32.2 (90.0)	30.0 (86.0)	27.7 (81.9)	23.0 (73.4)	15.6 (60.1)	32.2 (90.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	4.9 (40.8)	7.2 (45.0)	12.5 (54.5)	17.6 (63.7)	21.3 (70.3)	24.2 (75.6)	25.5 (77.9)	25.4 (77.7)	23.7 (74.7)	19.9 (67.8)	13.1 (55.6)	7.9 (46.2)	17.0 (62.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−6.1 (21.0)	−3.9 (25.0)	−0.3 (31.5)	3.3 (37.9)	5.8 (42.4)	8.9 (48.0)	12.9 (55.2)	13.0 (55.4)	8.7 (47.7)	2.6 (36.7)	−1.4 (29.5)	−4.2 (24.4)	3.5 (38.3)
Record low °C (°F)	−18.6 (−1.5)	−17.3 (0.9)	−13.0 (8.6)	−4.0 (24.8)	−1.0 (30.2)	1.5 (34.7)	2.0 (35.6)	4.0 (39.2)	0.6 (33.1)	−5.1 (22.8)	−10.8 (12.6)	−15.7 (3.7)	−18.6 (−1.5)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	136.0 (5.35)	144.5 (5.69)	171.2 (6.74)	144.2 (5.68)	120.1 (4.73)	91.2 (3.59)	107.1 (4.22)	114.9 (4.52)	95.1 (3.74)	38.2 (1.50)	51.3 (2.02)	59.7 (2.35)	1,273.5 (50.14)
Average rainy days	8.1	9.3	10.3	10.0	9.8	8.3	8.8	9.0	7.0	3.3	3.0	3.9	90.8
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST)	80	76	66	60	57	58	64	68	65	59	68	75	66
Source: India Meteorological Department^[13]^[14]^[15]

Demographics

Religion in Pahalgam Town (2011)^[16]

Islam (80.09%)

Hinduism (17.64%)

Sikhism (1.38%)

Christianity (0.41%)

Buddhism (0.2%)

Jainism (0.02%)

Not Stated (0.36%)

As of 2011^[update] India census,^[17] Pahalgam had a population of 5922. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. The average literacy rate is 35%, lower than the Indian national average of 59.5% with male literacy at 49% and female literacy at 17%. About 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Administration

Pahalgam is administered by the Pahalgam Development Authority, headed by a Chief Executive Officer who functions as the administrator of local town area committee.

Tourism

The town has 3,510 rooms with 7,020 beds for tourists.^[10]

Amarnath Temple

Amarnath cave is a Hindu shrine located in Pahalgam. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft).^[18]

Kolhoi Glacier

Kolohoi Glacier, situated up the Lidder Valley, just below Kolhoi Peak is currently a hanging glacier. It is accessible from Pahalgam via Aru and is known to have extended for at least 35 kilometres (22 mi).^[19] According to the mountaineers from Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, in 2008, the glacier receded by half since 1985 and it is not safe to study because it is hollow and has 200-foot-deep (61 m) crevices.^{[citation needed]}

Betaab Valley

Also known as Hagoon or Hagan Valley, locally.

Betaab Valley is a valley located 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from Pahalgam. The valley got its name from a Bollywood movie Betaab that was shot here.

Baisaran Valley

Baisaran Valley, barely 5 kilometres from Pahalgam in Kashmir's Anantnag district, is a popular tourist attraction that has been dubbed "mini-Switzerland" due to its scenic splendour. It's a verdant meadow on a mountaintop flanked by snowcapped mountains and studded with thick pine woods.^[20] The optimum time to go to Baisaran is determined on the type of experience you wish to have. From January through March is the best time to visit if you want to experience the snow. Visit there during April and June to appreciate the foliage and lovely weather.^[21]

Religious significance

Pahalgam is one of the most important site for Hindus.^[22] Amarnath cave situated at 3,888 m (12,756 ft) is an important Hindu shrine located in Pahalgam.^[23]

Mythology

Lord Shiva is believed to impart the secret of immortality (Amrit Vachan) to Parvati in Pahalgam. Before entering Amarnath cave Shiv left nandi in Pahalgam, moon in Chandanwari, snakes in Sheshnag Lake, Ganesha on Mahaguna Parbat, five elements at Panchtarni.^[24] Mahaguna Parbat is lies at Nagaparbhat.

Environmental issues

Annual tourist flow to the town produces much more waste than locals, overwhelming the local solid waste management system, and leading to dumping of waste throughout the town.^[10] 74% of the total municipal waste comes from the tourism sector.^[10] This waste issue increase waterborne disease downstream and other health issues, as well as polluting the local landscape.^[10]

Pahalgam Golf Course

Pahalgam has a scenic 18-hole golf course; where championships are organized by the state government and private hotels in summer. The course closes in winter due to snow.^[25]^{[unreliable source?]} Pahalgam Golf Course, also known as Ladder Valley Golf Course, is approximately 100km from Srinagar at about 2,400 meters above sea level; its picturesque setting makes it known for its unique features. The course has several natural water hazards, including a stream that runs through the system's middle. It also offers stunning views of the nearby Lidder River and the surrounding mountains. Locals refer to the golf course as the 'plateau'. During the insurgency, the military occupied portions of the plateau, leaving it out of bounds for tourists.^[26]^{[unreliable source?]}

The Best Time for Golfing in Pahalgam

The best time to enjoy golfing in Pahalgam is between May and October. During these months, the weather in Pahalgam is pleasant, and the golf course is in prime condition. The temperature during the day ranges from 15°C to 25°C, making it perfect for outdoor activities such as golfing.

During the summer, the days are longer, and the weather is warmer, making it an ideal time for golfers to enjoy a round of golf. The course is usually less crowded during the weekdays, and golfers can enjoy a peaceful and serene golfing experience.

However, it is recommended to avoid the monsoon season, which runs from July to September, as the course can become waterlogged and muddy, making it difficult to play. Additionally, during the winter months, the course is covered in snow, and it is not possible to play golf.^[27]

Transportation

Air

The nearest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar, 91 kilometres from Pahalgam.

Rail

The nearest railway station is Bijbehara railway station 45 km from Pahalgam.

Road

Pahalgam is well-connected with roads and highways. The NH 501 passes through Pahalgam alongside other intra-district roads.

Gallery

Pahalgam Gallery
A view of Pahalgam valley
Pine trees in the snow in Pahalgam
Meadows in Pahalgam
Lidder River
Route to Amarnath Temple
View of valley near Pahalgam town

References

^ "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
^ "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
^ Betts, Vanessa; McCulloch, Victoria (2014). Footprint Delhi & Northwest India. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 158. ISBN 9781910120866.
^ "Vale of Kashmir | valley, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Jammu and Kashmir | union territory, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Jammu and Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Kashmir | Region, Indian subcontinent". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
^ "Pahalgam: Valley of paradise". Bangalore Mirror. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Bashir, Subzar; Goswami, Subhrangsu (1 January 2016). "Tourism Induced Challenges in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Hill Towns: Case of Pahalgam". Procedia Environmental Sciences. Waste Management for Resource Utilisation. 35: 77–89. Bibcode:2016PrEnS..35...77B. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.048. ISSN 1878-0296.
^ Hazra, Rajendra Chandra (2003). Rise of Epic and Purāṇic Rudra-Śiva Or Śiva Maheśvara. Sri Balaram Prakashani. p. 71.
^ "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Pahalgam". fallingrain.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
^ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
^ "Station: Pahalgam Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 605–606. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M78. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
^ "Pahalgam population". Census India 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
^ "Archive News". Retrieved 14 July 2020.
^ N. Ahmed and N. H. Hashimi (1974). "Glacial History of Kolahoi Glacier, Kashmir, India" (PDF). Journal of Glaciology. 13 (68): 279. Bibcode:1974JGlac..13..279A. doi:10.1017/S002214300002308X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
^ "Baisaran Valley". ExploreKashmir - SimplyKashmir Blog. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
^ "Baisaran Valley Pahalgam | Top Things to Do & Best Time to Visit | J & K Tourism". tour-my-india. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
^ Incredible India : tourist & travel guide. Jodhpur: Indian Map Service. 2007. ISBN 978-81-89875-20-6. OCLC 156848033. The Shiva is one of the most important Hindu traditional route from Pahalgam to Amarnath pilgrimage centres in the country. The holy cave via Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni perched at an altitude of 3962 metres is 2 feet is endowed ...
^ "Archive News". Retrieved 14 July 2020.
^ Sunita Pant Bansal. (15 November 2012). Hindu pilgrimage;a journey through the holy places of hindus all over india. [Place of publication not identified]: V & S Publishers. p. 121. ISBN 978-93-5057-251-1. OCLC 930451370.
^ "List of Top 5 Golf Courses in Kashmir – Swan Tours – Blogs". 13 November 2017.
^ "Official Website of Department of Tourism Govt of Jammu & Kashmir". www.jktourism.jk.gov.in. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
^ "Pahalgam Kashmir's Popular Tourist Spot – C Himalaya – Blogs". 21 October 2023.

[OfficialLang-1] "The Jammu and Kashmir Official Languages Act, 2020" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2020.

[2] "Parliament passes JK Official Languages Bill, 2020". Rising Kashmir. 23 September 2020. Archived from the original on 24 September 2020. Retrieved 23 September 2020.

[3] Betts, Vanessa; McCulloch, Victoria (2014). Footprint Delhi & Northwest India. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 158. ISBN 9781910120866.

[4] "Vale of Kashmir | valley, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[5] "Jammu and Kashmir | union territory, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[6] "Jammu and Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[7] "Kashmir | Region, Indian subcontinent". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 17 June 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[8] "Kashmir summary". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 21 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2022.

[9] "Pahalgam: Valley of paradise". Bangalore Mirror. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2013.

[:0-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Bashir, Subzar; Goswami, Subhrangsu (1 January 2016). "Tourism Induced Challenges in Municipal Solid Waste Management in Hill Towns: Case of Pahalgam". Procedia Environmental Sciences. Waste Management for Resource Utilisation. 35: 77–89. Bibcode:2016PrEnS..35...77B. doi:10.1016/j.proenv.2016.07.048. ISSN 1878-0296.

[11] Hazra, Rajendra Chandra (2003). Rise of Epic and Purāṇic Rudra-Śiva Or Śiva Maheśvara. Sri Balaram Prakashani. p. 71.

[12] "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc – Pahalgam". fallingrain.com. Retrieved 1 May 2016.

[13] "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.

[IMDnormals-14] "Station: Pahalgam Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 605–606. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.

[IMDextremes-15] "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M78. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.

[Pahalgam_Population-16] "Pahalgam population". Census India 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2021.

[17] "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.

[18] "Archive News". Retrieved 14 July 2020.

[19] N. Ahmed and N. H. Hashimi (1974). "Glacial History of Kolahoi Glacier, Kashmir, India" (PDF). Journal of Glaciology. 13 (68): 279. Bibcode:1974JGlac..13..279A. doi:10.1017/S002214300002308X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2012.

[20] "Baisaran Valley". ExploreKashmir - SimplyKashmir Blog. Retrieved 22 September 2021.

[21] "Baisaran Valley Pahalgam | Top Things to Do & Best Time to Visit | J & K Tourism". tour-my-india. Retrieved 22 September 2021.

[22] Incredible India : tourist & travel guide. Jodhpur: Indian Map Service. 2007. ISBN 978-81-89875-20-6. OCLC 156848033. The Shiva is one of the most important Hindu traditional route from Pahalgam to Amarnath pilgrimage centres in the country. The holy cave via Chandanwari, Sheshnag and Panchtarni perched at an altitude of 3962 metres is 2 feet is endowed ...

[23] "Archive News". Retrieved 14 July 2020.

[24] Sunita Pant Bansal. (15 November 2012). Hindu pilgrimage;a journey through the holy places of hindus all over india. [Place of publication not identified]: V & S Publishers. p. 121. ISBN 978-93-5057-251-1. OCLC 930451370.

[25] "List of Top 5 Golf Courses in Kashmir – Swan Tours – Blogs". 13 November 2017.

[26] "Official Website of Department of Tourism Govt of Jammu & Kashmir". www.jktourism.jk.gov.in. Retrieved 19 January 2021.

[27] "Pahalgam Kashmir's Popular Tourist Spot – C Himalaya – Blogs". 21 October 2023.

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Pahalgam