Pahalgam

Pahalgam (Hindustani pronunciation: [pɛhɛlɡaːm]), known as Pahalgom (Kashmiri pronunciation: [pəhəlʲɡoːm]; lit. ’village of shepherds’ in Kashmiri)[3] is a town and a notified area committee in the Anantnag district of the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.[4][5][6][7][8] It is a popular tourist destination and hill station. Its lush green meadows and pristine waters attract thousands of tourists from all over the world each year.[9] It is located 45 kilometres (28 mi) from Anantnag on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 7,200 feet (2,200 m). Pahalgam is the headquarters of one of the eleven tehsils of Anantnag district.

Pahalgam is associated with the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari, located 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) from Pahalgam. The town is the starting point of the yatra that takes place every year in the months of July–August, receiving hundreds of thousands of tourists. Because of its religious significance and role as a base camp, the town attracts 70% of visitors to the valley.[10] This flood of tourists overwhelms some of the local infrastructure, especially waste management in the town.[10]

Etymology

The name Pahalgam is derived from two Kashmiri words;

Puheyl and Goam, wherein Puheyl means Shepherd and Goam means Village, this over the time became Puheylgoam or Pahalgam. It is because the place acts as a gateway to many meadows & pastures and traditional Bakharwal communities settle in those places from spring season to pre winter to herd their cattle. Hence the name “Valley of Shepherds” which it has been referred to as by various Governmental Bodies to exotify it and turn it into a brawling tourist hub.

According to Hindu traditions, Pahalgam was originally called Bail Gaon (बैल गाँव) meaning (village of bull (nandi)) where Hindu God Shiva left his bull before entering Amarnath Cave[11]

Geography

Pahalgam is located at 34.01°N 75.19°E.[12] Pahalgam holds a central position in the Lidder Valley. It has an average elevation of 2,740 metres (8,990 ft).
Demographics

Religion in Pahalgam Town (2011)[15]
Islam (80.09%)
Hinduism (17.64%)
Sikhism (1.38%)
Christianity (0.41%)
Buddhism (0.2%)
Jainism (0.02%)
Not Stated (0.36%)

As of 2011 India census,[16] Pahalgam had a population of 5922. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. The average literacy rate is 35%, lower than the Indian national average of 59.5% with male literacy at 49% and female literacy at 17%. About 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.