Kashmir: A Fantastic Home
Kashmir is an abode of natural beauty, spirituality, natural treasures and tranquillity that inspired famous poets like Habba Khatoon, Mehjoor and Lalla Arifa. Much is said about the beauty and serenity of this heaven, but the experiences can never be the same as everyone finds something different in a very basic thing. Kashmir is a land to explore Earth’s treasures and also look into one’s inner self.
Sitting in the lap of the Mighty Himalayas, it has everything to offer from shimmering lakes, waterfalls, tall peaks, flowery gardens, riverside retreats and green-carpeted meadows. It is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, without any doubt. This blog will help you to explore the Pahalgam Valley which is among the best resorts in Kashmir.
Pahalgam: Spirituality-filled fairyland
The name Pahalgam becomes ‘Shepherds Village’ when translated into English. This famous hill station is located in the Anantnag district and 100 kilometres away from the main city. Talking about the Pahalgam area, it is a town consisting of nine villages with a large area, compared to other hill stations.
Pahalgam is a well-developed area, thanks to the footfall of a huge number of tourists who love this place because of the natural wonders of it. This place is among the most visited riverside retreats, having the soothing stream of Lidder, which flows through this place and has its source in the Kolahoi Glacier. It is also famous for the spiritual places of Aishmuqam, Amarnath and Sheeshnag.
Amarnath Yatra
The name Amarnath means immortal god and is a name given to the Hindu god Shiva. The legend of Amarnath says that the Hindu deity Shiva was on a journey to the Amarnath Cave, located in the higher reaches of Pahalgam. He had to forward the Amar Vachan (secret to immortality) to his wife, Parvati.
After reaching there, Shiva closed the cave and blocked the entry for any other being. He started to tell the secret to Parvati but she fell asleep. Shiva assumed that she was listening and spelt the whole secret. By some chance, a pigeon pair came inside the cave and while he was spelling out the secret. The pigeon pair listened to everything and became immortal. Hindus believe that the same pair of pigeons has been sighted near the cave, several times.
Pahalgam serves as one of the two routes to Amarnath, the other being the Sonmarg- Baltal route. The Yatra is hosted by the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board between June to August.
Attractions in vicinity
Baisaran, Chandanwari, Aru Valley, and Betaab Valley are famous places near Pahalgam town. Chandanwari is believed to be the place where the Hindu god Shiva left the moon when he was travelling to the Amarnath Cave. The famous Betaab Valley is the place where the Bollywood hit, Betaab movie was shot, starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh.
Pahalgam Golf course
One of the best riverside retreats of Kashmir, Pahalgam, has a golf course also. This is a beautiful golf course, standing between the dense cover of coniferous trees and tall mountains. It is equipped with nine holes and is large enough for hosting championships. Golfing on a scenic meadow is a dream come true for the golfers.
Mini Zoo
There is a mini zoo in the Pahalgam Valley, which has the exotic attractions of Snow Leopard, Common Leopard, Himalayan Black and Brown bears. This is a must-visit place for everyone. This is the only zoo in the Kashmir Valley.
Amusement Park
Just some steps from the Mini Zoo of Pahalgam is the Amusement Park which has all the fun, needed to enjoy to the fullest. From pendulum rides to trampoline and games, there is everything for you and your family to spend time together.
Sheeshnag Lake
This lake is situated at a distance of 1-2 trekking days. It is a sacred lake for the Hindus. The name Sheeshnag means ‘King of Nagas’. It has high importance among the Hindus and is also one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in Kashmir. This lake is surrounded by snow-clad mountains and has a green shade in its water. This is one of the best and shortest alpine trekking destinations.
What to Do?
- Sightseeing
- River Rafting
- Shopping
- Horse Riding
- Paragliding
- Eating local delights
- Photography
- Fishing
- ATV riding
- Golfing
- Trekking
Conclusion
Be it Pahalgam or any other place in Kashmir, the beauty of this valley blended with its unique ethnic people gives an amazing and relaxing experience to the traveller. The only thing you can do as a favour or to thank the Kashmir valley is to keep the surroundings clean. Putting waste in the dustbins and agreeing to the local rules that will make this valley a more beautiful destination. I hope that you enjoyed this blog.
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FAQs
When is the best time to visit Pahalgam?
The best time to visit the Pahalgam Valley is in the Summer. Although every season has its own taste, the easy peasy and affordable time is from June to September.
What types of accommodations are available in Pahalgam?
There are both budget-friendly and luxury stays available here.
Which is the nearest airport to Pahalgam?
The Shiekh ul Alam International Airport is the nearest airport to Pahalgam.
Which is the nearest railway station to Pahalgam?
The nearest railway is the railway station Anantnag.
Author is a student who loves to explore new corners of learning. He likes writing and travelling while taking challenges that question his abilities and skills. His hobbies are helping people and spending time in nature.