Pahalgam () or Pahalgom () is a town in Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of in the Vale of Kashmir. Pahalgam is the headquarters of the Pahalgam tehsil, one of the eleven taluk in Anantnag district.
Located about from Anantnag, the town is a popular tourist destination and hill station. The town is the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple, which takes place in July–August.
Etymology
Pahalgam literally means "village of the shepherds" in Kashmiri, with "Pạhạlʸ" meaning shepherds and "Gōm" meaning village. In
Hindu literature, the region is mentioned as "Bailgaon", meaning "village of the bull", to indicate where the Hindu god
Shiva left his bull on the way to
Amarnath Temple.
Geography
Pahalgam is located in Anantnag district of the Indian
union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is located at an altitude of in the
Lidder Valley, which extends east of
Jhelum River in the Vale of Kashmir. The two streams of
Lidder River—East and West Lidder—join near Pahalgam before proceeding through the narrow valley. At Pahalgam, the valley divides into two, one heading towards Amarnath in the northeast and another leading to Aru in the northwest. The region is made up of
volcanic rock and
limestone rocks interspersed with asymmetrical roche rocks. The vegetation in the region is dominated by evergreen
Abies pindrow and
coniferous trees such as pine and
picea smithiana.
Climate
Pahalgam has a temperate climate, with mild summers and cold winters. The temperature variation across the day in minimal in the winter months of December to February. Cold winds can result in a steep decrease in nighttime temperatures in winter to below zero. Winter can result in heavy snowfall of up to thick. Summer extends from June to October, when the temperatures are at a maximum. Pahalgam receives most of the precipitation from late winter after November to May before the onset of summer.
Demographics
, Pahalgam had a population of 9,264 people.
Males constitute 59.8% of the population and females 40.2%.
The town had an average literacy rate of 64.9% amongst the population of seven years and above. About 48% of the eligible age group were employed full-time, and 10% had casual employment.
and
Scheduled Tribes made up about two percent of the population.
was the major religion, with 80% adherents, with
Hindus forming the second largest group (17.6%).
Administration
Pahalgam is administered by the Pahalgam Municipal Committee.
The municipal committee is responsible for providing basic civic amenities such as water supply, sanitation and waste management, and other government services.
The town is divided into 13 wards which elect their own local body representative to the municipal council.
Transportation
Pahalgam is well-connected with other regions of Jammu and Kashmir by roads.
The NH 501 connects Pahalgam with Anantnag.
State-run bus services and private buses connect the town with
Anantnag,
Jammu, and
Srinagar.
The nearest major rail heads are located at
Udhampur and
Jammu, about and away respectively. The nearest airport is the Srinagar International Airport, about from Pahalgam.
Tourism
Pahalgam's location in the Lidder valley and its climate has led to the town becoming a popular tourist destination and
hill station.
In 2015, the town had about 7,020 beds for tourists.
The Amarnath Temple is a Hindu pilgrimage site situated above the Pahalgam valley. The town forms the base camp for the yatra to the temple that takes place every year in the months of July–August, and results in a seasonal influx of pilgrims.
Kolahoi Glacier is a hanging glacier situated up the Lidder Valley, just below Kolahoi Peak. It is accessible via a trail from Pahalgam via Aru.
The high influx of seasonal tourists results in the production of large quantities of solid wastes, which overwhelms the waste management system, and leads to dumping of wastes throughout the town. With an estimated 74% of the total municipal wastes coming from tourism, the dumping had increased the probability of waterborne diseases downstream of the Lidder River and other health issues.
2025 Pahalgam attack
On 22 April 2025, militants affiliated with The Resistance Front opened fire on a group of tourists at Baisaran valley near Pahalgam, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 20 others.
See also
Bibliography
