About Pahalgam

Pahalgam “The Valley of Shepherds” is a town and a notified area committee in Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir. It is a popular tourist destination and a hill station. 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 five tehsils of Anantnag district. Pahalgam is associated with the annual Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July-August. NEAR BY PLACES CHANDANWARI (16KM: 2,923M) It is famous for its snow bridge and as the base camp for annual Amarnath Ji Yatra. BAISARAN (5 KM: 2,438M) Pine forests dot this meadow which presents a picturesque view of the snow-clad mountains. The snow covered Tulian lake at an altitude of 3353 m is 11kms from Baisaran SHESHNAG LAKE (27 KM: 3,658M) The lake has special significance for Hindu religion followers who believe that the lake belongs to the Lord of Snakes – Sheshnaag which still resides there. One of the mythological beliefs says that the lake has been dug by the Lord Sheshnag himself and thus has been named after divine serpent. The lake is also sacred as it falls enrouteto the holy Amarnath Cave. PANCHTARNI (40 KM) It is the confluence of five streams and gives Panchtarni its name. A good camping site. AMARNATH CAVE A large number of Hindu pilgrims pay obeisance at the Cave during the months of June and August. The pilgrimage commonly called as Amarnath Yatra begins from Chandanwadi which is 16 kms from famous tourist spot Pahalgam. The trek passes through Sheshnag and Panchtarni and concludes at Amarnath Cave.The shrine is dedicated to the god Shiva and is believed according to Hindu mythology over 5,000 years old. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m and is about 141 km from Srinagar. The cave is accessed by either Pahalgam - Chandanwari Track Route or Sonamarg - Baltal Route. Over the years, it has become the revered destination for the Hindu devotes who visit the cave annually. ARU (11 KM: 2,408M) This charming meadow can be reached by walking or by taxis along a mountain path. The river Lidder disappears at Gur Khumb and reappears after 27 mts. LIDDERWAT (22KM: 3,408M) A beautiful camping site set among dense forests. Starting point of the trek to the Sindh Valley. KOLOHI (1,467 M) Base for a three-day return trek to the Kolohi Glacier TARSAR LAKE (34 KM: 3,962M) It can be reached from Lidderwat. There are delightful camping sites and flower meadows at Sikiwas, 24 kms from Pahalgam. To reach the nearby Marsar lake one has to cross a 243 mts high bridge..