Pahalgam – The Village of Shepherds

^{Views at the entrance}

Pahalgam is one of the top tourist destinations in the Kashmir Valley. It is a picturesque valley located towards the south-east of Srinagar city. It lies at a distance of about 105 km from the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, and for that reason, it is known not only for its natural beauty but also for the long and scenic drive. It is called Pahalgam, and the literal meaning in Kashmiri is the “Village of Shepherds.”

^{view during day and night}

The area is a huge and vast expanse of meadows surrounded by snow-laden mountains, and the water flowing from these mountains passes through the valley, adding to its beauty. It is one of the topmost tourist places in the valley, and anyone who visits Kashmir definitely visits this place. There are several connected peripheral areas that offer peace and tranquility, where one can easily spend time in solitude. The grass in these meadows feels like a soft carpet beneath the feet. The landscape is extremely picturesque, and photographs captured in any direction are always worth showcasing.

^{the beauty for which the place is famous for}

This place not only offers beautiful spots all around, but the long drive towards it is a treat in itself, as the route runs alongside the Lidder River and offers one of the best travel experiences. It is a vast place, unlike many other destinations here, and even if a person stays for a month, it would be difficult to cover the entire area. The long riverbanks lined with huge pine trees, forest flowers, and the milky white waters of the Lidder River, combined with towering mountains in the backdrop, present unparalleled beauty.

^{my friends, enjoying over the river}

My favourite place till now has been Pahalgam, and I suggest it to everyone who reads my post, as it leaves a lasting impression as one of the most beautiful places in the Kashmir Valley. Although there are even more beautiful places, many of them remain unexplored and are not easily accessible within a short span of time, as they require more time to be properly explored.

Several beautiful valleys are connected to Pahalgam mainland, such as Aru, Betaab Valley, and Chandanwari. These places still have very little human interference and come under the Pahalgam Development Authority, which looks after sanitation and other essential works, important for the well-being of these areas. It is a government authority that charges an entry fee at some places, and it is a place where one does not mind spending some money to witness such precious beauty.

^{View of the place in winters}

Although there are vast meadows open for people to relax and enjoy the peace the place offers, it also has a cultural blend. As it is rightly called the Valley of Shepherds, the area is inhabited by local people who have built their houses in a typical Kashmiri style, which attracts visitors. I have seen people opting for homestays even though there are many rest houses with premium facilities available. People prefer learning about the culture and lifestyle and choose to stay with local families, which is another speciality of this place.

^{Day and night view of the place in winters}

Pahalgam is not just a summer destination; it offers beautiful scenic views in winter as well. The snow that covers the entire valley turns it into a white wonderland and also hosts some winter sports. A good number of Bollywood films have been shot here, making it a favourite destination not only for tourists from India but from across the globe. It also offers several trekking routes that lead to high mountains and glaciers, along with pony rides, and everything here is quite economical.

^{Driving through the long route}

It is one of my favourite places and one of my go-to destinations whenever I get an opportunity to take a break from my work schedule and spend time in nature. The lush green meadows are so beautiful and tempting that one hardly wishes to leave them, and all these features make it a worthwhile place to be pinned on Steem-Atlas.

Detail	Information
Location	Anantnag, Kashmir, India
Google Map	https://maps.app.goo.gl/x5zJBCGgM187tbo68?g_st=ic
Google Plus Code	8J6Q2887+CX
Steem Atlas	[//]:# (!steematlas 34.0160625 lat 75.3149375 long Pahalgam – The Village of Shepherds d3scr)
Open	24×7
Date of Visit	23 july and 02 september 2023, 25 feb 2024
Distance from Srinagar Airport	100–105 km

Thank you for going through my post. Have a great time ahead.