Pahalgam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pahalgam
Pahalgom
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View of valley in Pahalgam town, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
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 Pahalgam
Location in Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam
Location in India
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| Country |  India |
| Union Territory |  Jammu and Kashmir |
| District | Anantnag |
| Elevation | 2,740 m (8,990 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 5,922 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri, English |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN |
192126
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| Vehicle registration | JK-03 |
Pahalgam is a beautiful town in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is also known as Pahalgom, which means "village of shepherds" in the Kashmiri language. This town is a very popular place for tourists and a famous hill station.
Pahalgam is known for its green meadows and clear rivers. Thousands of visitors come here every year to enjoy the natural beauty. It is about 45 kilometers from Anantnag city, located next to the Lidder River. The town sits high up, at about 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) above sea level.
Pahalgam is also important because it is the starting point for the yearly Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. This religious journey happens every July and August. Many people visit Pahalgam because of its role in this important pilgrimage.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of Pahalgam
The name Pahalgam comes from two Kashmiri words. Puheyl means "shepherd" and goam means "village". Over time, these words combined to form Puheylgoam, or Pahalgam.
This area is a path to many meadows and pastures. Traditional Bakharwal communities, who are shepherds, live here from spring until early winter. They bring their cattle to graze in these lands.
Some Hindu traditions say that Pahalgam was once called Bail Gaon. This means "village of the bull". It is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva left his bull, Nandi, before going into the Amarnath Cave.
Where is Pahalgam?
Pahalgam is located at coordinates 34.01° N latitude and 75.19° E longitude. It is in the middle of the Lidder Valley. The town is about 2,740 meters (8,990 feet) above sea level.
Pahalgam's Weather
Pahalgam has a mild climate. This means it has long, cold winters and short, gentle summers.
| Climate data for Pahalgam (1981–2010, extremes 1978–2012) | |||||||||||||
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| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13.2 (55.8) |
17.0 (62.6) |
23.5 (74.3) |
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) | 2.4 (36.3) |
3.6 (38.5) |
10.7 (51.3) |
17.4 (63.3) |
21.0 (69.8) |
23.4 (74.1) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
22.8 (73.0) |
19.4 (66.9) |
10.9 (51.6) |
3.2 (37.8) |
15.5 (59.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −6.9 (19.6) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
3.1 (37.6) |
5.6 (42.1) |
8.5 (47.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
12.6 (54.7) |
8.3 (46.9) |
2.3 (36.1) |
−1.6 (29.1) |
−4.1 (24.6) |
2.9 (37.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −26.6 (−15.9) |
−30.2 (−22.4) |
−13.6 (7.5) |
−6.2 (20.8) |
−3.0 (26.6) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
4.0 (39.2) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−8.1 (17.4) |
−13.9 (7.0) |
−23.7 (−10.7) |
−30.2 (−22.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 120.3 (4.74) |
139.2 (5.48) |
198.0 (7.80) |
141.6 (5.57) |
129.9 (5.11) |
88.0 (3.46) |
109.1 (4.30) |
109.8 (4.32) |
81.4 (3.20) |
46.2 (1.82) |
42.9 (1.69) |
75.1 (2.96) |
1,281.5 (50.45) |
| Average rainy days | 7.9 | 8.9 | 10.9 | 9.9 | 9.9 | 8.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | 6.5 | 3.7 | 2.9 | 4.9 | 91.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST) | 82 | 77 | 68 | 60 | 57 | 57 | 65 | 67 | 62 | 59 | 67 | 75 | 66 |
| Source: India Meteorological Department | |||||||||||||
Who Lives in Pahalgam?
In 2011, Pahalgam had a population of 5,922 people. About 56% of the people were male and 44% were female. The average literacy rate (people who can read and write) was 35%. This was lower than the average for all of India at that time. About 14% of the population was under 6 years old.
How Pahalgam is Managed
The Pahalgam Development Authority is in charge of running the town. A Chief Executive Officer leads this authority. They act as the main administrator for the local town area.
Fun Things to Do in Pahalgam: Tourism
Pahalgam is a major tourist spot. It has many places for visitors to stay, with over 3,500 rooms and 7,000 beds available.
Amarnath Temple: A Holy Cave
The Amarnath cave is a very important Hindu shrine. It is located in Pahalgam, high up at 3,888 meters (12,756 feet) above sea level. Many people visit this cave for religious reasons.
Kolhoi Glacier: A Melting Giant
The Kolhoi Glacier is located in the Lidder Valley. It is a large mass of ice that is slowly moving. You can reach it from Pahalgam by going through a place called Aru.
This glacier used to be much bigger. Experts say that it has shrunk by half since 1985. It is also known to have deep cracks, some as deep as 60 meters (200 feet).
Betaab Valley: A Filming Location
Betaab Valley is about 15 kilometers from Pahalgam. It is also known as Hagoon or Hagan Valley. This valley got its name from a famous Bollywood movie called Betaab, which was filmed there.
Baisaran Valley: Mini-Switzerland
Baisaran Valley is only about 5 kilometers from Pahalgam. It is a very popular place for tourists. People call it "mini-Switzerland" because it is so beautiful.
It is a green meadow located on top of a mountain. It is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and thick pine forests. If you want to see snow, the best time to visit is from January to March. If you prefer green plants and nice weather, visit between April and June.
Pahalgam Golf Course: Golfing in the Mountains
Pahalgam has a beautiful 18-hole golf course. Golf tournaments are held here by the local government and hotels during the summer. The course closes in winter because it gets covered in snow.
This golf course is also known as the Ladder Valley Golf Course. It is about 100 kilometers from Srinagar and sits about 2,400 meters (7,874 feet) above sea level. Its amazing location makes it very special. The course has natural water obstacles, including a stream that runs through it. You can also see stunning views of the nearby Lidder River and the mountains around it. Locals sometimes call the golf course the 'plateau'.
When to Play Golf in Pahalgam
The best time to play golf in Pahalgam is from May to October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the golf course is in excellent condition. The temperature during the day is usually between 15°C and 25°C, which is perfect for outdoor activities like golf.
Summer days are longer and warmer, making it a great time for golfers. The course is usually less crowded on weekdays, so you can enjoy a peaceful game.
It is best to avoid the monsoon season, which is from July to September. During this time, the course can become very wet and muddy, making it hard to play. Also, in winter, the course is covered in snow, so golfing is not possible.
Getting to Pahalgam
By Air
The closest airport is Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar. It is about 91 kilometers (56 miles) from Pahalgam.
By Train
The nearest train station is Bijbehara railway station. It is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from Pahalgam.
By Road
Pahalgam has good road connections. The NH 501 goes through Pahalgam, along with other local roads that connect it to nearby areas.
Images for kids
- Pahalgam Gallery
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A view of Pahalgam valley
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Pine trees in the snow in Pahalgam
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Meadows in Pahalgam
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Lidder River
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Route to Amarnath Temple
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View of valley near Pahalgam town
See also
In Spanish: Pahalgam para niños
