PAHELGAO
ABOUT THE PLACE
At the height of 2,130 meters, Pahelgaon is a hamlet 97 km away from Srinagar. Nestled at the confluence of two streams, East Lidder and West Lidder, the scenic beauty of Pahelgaon and its adjacent areas is peerless. The lofty white caps, the rolling green glades, flashing meadows within the Pine-covered forests up in the hill, the settlements of Gujjar community – the shepherds, and the pristine forests of Pine and Fir are what make Pahelgao such a coveted tourist destination.
HOW TO REACH
Government bus services are available from Srinagar. Private cars can also be hired at a cost of Rs. 1,800/-.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The ideal time to enjoy Pahelgaon is in the months of October and November. However, April–June is also a good tourist time.
ACCOMMODATION
Rent Rs 900 – Rs 1500
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department’s Tourist Bungalow
Dormitory, per bed Rs 300
Double-Bedded Semi Deluxe Rooms (Rs 1200)
Double-Bedded Deluxe Rooms (Rs 1500)
Stand View Hotel (Rs 900 – Rs 2000)
Hotel Goodluck Rs 1000 – Rs 1400
White House Rs 1000 – Rs 2100
Hotel Hillview Rs 1400- Rs 1600
Hotel Sunshine (Rs 1000 – Rs 1200)
Rent Rs 1500 – Rs 2500
Brown Palace Rs 2500
King Palace (Rs 1500 – Rs 1800)
Hotel Regent (Rs 2500)
Rent Rs 3000 and above
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department’s Tourist Bungalow
One bed hut (Rs 3500)
Two-bed hut (Rs 6000)
Hotel Woodstock (Rs 5000 – Rs 7700)
GETTING AROUND
Lidder River
The greatest attraction of Phelgaon is the Lidder River, whose crystal-clear rough water gurgles down rapidly. Strolling along the bank of Lidder or sitting on the lush green carpet of soft grass one can relieve oneself of all the mundane thoughts and worries and feel resurrected. A few villages are there on the other side of the stream. Mamal is one such village where there is Mamaleswar Temple, a 12th century shrine of Lord Shiva. The water in the holy pit inside the temple premise is said to remain fluid even in winter. It never freezes.
Other places of interest in and around Pahelgaon are the Golf Course, the Pahelgaon Club and the Gurudwara.
Baisaron
Traveling 3 km from Pahelgaon, on foot or riding pony, up in the mountain will lead to a grassy open field. This place is known as Baisaron – a place with ample greenery and dreamlike surroundings.
Aru Valley
Aru Valley is 11 km from Pahelgaon. Cars can be hired from Pahelgaon at a cost of Rs. 500–50/. Nearby places like Pospathhar, Lidderwat can also be visited on horseback. Moving even further one can climb up to Kola High Glacier, the source of Lidder River.
Chandanwari
It is 16 km from Pahelgaon. From here the Amarnath pilgrims move towards Sheshnag.
TRAVEL TIPS The private taxis shuttling between Srinagar and Pahelgaon are not allowed to travel to Chandanwari or Aru. Taxis are to be hired from Pahelgaon taxi stand for further journeys.
On the way to Pahelgaon from Srinagar, travelers can visit the Mattan Temple of Lord Shiva near Anantnag town and remnants of the ancient Sun temple near the city of Martanda.
It is always better to spend two nights in Pahelgaon and at least one night in Aru.
At the height of 2,130 meters, Pahelgaon is a hamlet 97 km away from Srinagar. Nestled at the confluence of two streams, East Lidder and West Lidder, the scenic beauty of Pahelgaon and its adjacent areas is peerless. The lofty white caps, the rolling green glades, flashing meadows within the Pine-covered forests up in the hill, the settlements of Gujjar community – the shepherds, and the pristine forests of Pine and Fir are what make Pahelgao such a coveted tourist destination.
HOW TO REACH
Government bus services are available from Srinagar. Private cars can also be hired at a cost of Rs. 1,800/-.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The ideal time to enjoy Pahelgaon is in the months of October and November. However, April–June is also a good tourist time.
ACCOMMODATION
Rent Rs 900 – Rs 1500
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department’s Tourist Bungalow
Dormitory, per bed Rs 300
Double-Bedded Semi Deluxe Rooms (Rs 1200)
Double-Bedded Deluxe Rooms (Rs 1500)
Stand View Hotel (Rs 900 – Rs 2000)
Hotel Goodluck Rs 1000 – Rs 1400
White House Rs 1000 – Rs 2100
Hotel Hillview Rs 1400- Rs 1600
Hotel Sunshine (Rs 1000 – Rs 1200)
Rent Rs 1500 – Rs 2500
Brown Palace Rs 2500
King Palace (Rs 1500 – Rs 1800)
Hotel Regent (Rs 2500)
Rent Rs 3000 and above
Jammu & Kashmir Tourism Department’s Tourist Bungalow
One bed hut (Rs 3500)
Two-bed hut (Rs 6000)
Hotel Woodstock (Rs 5000 – Rs 7700)
GETTING AROUND
Lidder River
The greatest attraction of Phelgaon is the Lidder River, whose crystal-clear rough water gurgles down rapidly. Strolling along the bank of Lidder or sitting on the lush green carpet of soft grass one can relieve oneself of all the mundane thoughts and worries and feel resurrected. A few villages are there on the other side of the stream. Mamal is one such village where there is Mamaleswar Temple, a 12th century shrine of Lord Shiva. The water in the holy pit inside the temple premise is said to remain fluid even in winter. It never freezes.
Other places of interest in and around Pahelgaon are the Golf Course, the Pahelgaon Club and the Gurudwara.
Baisaron
Traveling 3 km from Pahelgaon, on foot or riding pony, up in the mountain will lead to a grassy open field. This place is known as Baisaron – a place with ample greenery and dreamlike surroundings.
Aru Valley
Aru Valley is 11 km from Pahelgaon. Cars can be hired from Pahelgaon at a cost of Rs. 500–50/. Nearby places like Pospathhar, Lidderwat can also be visited on horseback. Moving even further one can climb up to Kola High Glacier, the source of Lidder River.
Chandanwari
It is 16 km from Pahelgaon. From here the Amarnath pilgrims move towards Sheshnag.
TRAVEL TIPS The private taxis shuttling between Srinagar and Pahelgaon are not allowed to travel to Chandanwari or Aru. Taxis are to be hired from Pahelgaon taxi stand for further journeys.
On the way to Pahelgaon from Srinagar, travelers can visit the Mattan Temple of Lord Shiva near Anantnag town and remnants of the ancient Sun temple near the city of Martanda.
It is always better to spend two nights in Pahelgaon and at least one night in Aru.