Famous for scenic beauty, the jewel of the Liddar
valley, Pahalgam is situated in the western part of the state of Jammu
and Kashmir. Set at 2130 m above sea level, surrounded by the great
Himalayas, it is positioned on the banks of the Liddar River. The alpine
weather conditions create pleasant and mild weather conditions in
summers from April to June, while winters from November to February are
cold and experience heavy snowfall. The rainy seasons of July and August
see a huge entourage of pilgrims who come here to visit the holy cave of
Amarnath, the abode of Lord Shiva, as Pahalgam is the starting point of
the famous Amarnath Yatra. The mention of Pahalgam is found in the regions ruled by the Mughals in the medieval period. Local Hindu kings later ruled over it as a part of the Kingdom of Kashmir until this princely state annexed into India, after independence. The natural beauty of Pahalgam and the luxuriant Liddar valley attracts the tourists. There are number of picnic spots on the shores of River Liddar, flowing near Pahalgam. Pahalgam is also a part of Asia's only saffron growing area; the saffron plants are in full bloom in November. Pahalgam offers quite a few hiking and trekking trails, which one can explore riding on horseback. The snow capped peaks in the backdrop and lush green pine forests soothe the eyes of the travelers. The Liddar River is popular among travelers interested in angling and trout fishing. Virgin pine forests, clear mountain streams, and meadows of wildflowers mark Pahalgam as part of the paradisiacal beauty of Kashmir.
