Pulwama is the mother of Kashmir in the sense that it is one of the lushest green and fertile values of the whole state and is capable of producing enough to keep the entire Kashmir well-fed. But to tourists, Pulwama is one of those special hill stations of South Kashmir which can immediately take you back a thousand years to when the ancient kings of Hindutva were first exploring Kashmir. There are many exciting places to visit in Pulwama as well as activities to do in Pulwama that will take you back to the 16th century Mughal Empire as well as the 19th century Afghani Empire. The Pulwama Valley is filled with beauties like hidden waterfalls, orchards, hidden trails among thick forests, streams trickling down etc.
Tourist Places in Pulwama That Sing of The Glories of Kashmir
1. Shikargah
True to its name, this place used to be a famous hunting location among people from the royal family once upon a time. In fact, it is said that none other than Maharaja Hari Singh himself often came to seek out some hunting activities to do in Pulwama for himself. Naturally, is not an activity that contributes to the growth of beautiful locations like Pulwama. Therefore, there are strict rules against poaching in Shikargarh today. Tourists visit this place to enjoy picnics, short hikes, games of cricket and volleyball – and most importantly the picture-perfect locations of surrounding forests and the snow-clad mountain peaks towering above. If you are lucky you can even spot birds!
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
2. Avantishwar Temple
The rock temples of ancient India often have the power to transfix believers and nonbelievers in the most beautiful historical trance. Avantishwar Temple is one such historical location that can truthfully be termed the single most important location for sightseeing in Pulwama. Most of this Temple was built by Raja Avanti Verma in 9th century AD, but archaeologists believe that ruins of the Karkota empire also stand erect in the same premises. The overall ambience of this thousand-year-old building is one of spiritual peace and a soulful connection with the universe as a whole.
Entry fee: 25 INR per person
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings. But the site has to be vacated by sunset.
Time taken to visit: 2 hours
3. Payer Village
when you visit any location in Kashmir, make sure you stray a little further out from the city or town boundaries and make your way into the untouched villages surrounding the main hill station. One such village is the Payer village which is located 3 km away from Pulwama. One of the most exciting things to do in Pulwama is to take a walk around the village and photograph the primitive lifestyle of a little hamlet nestled among the glorious hills. Payer village makes way to a trail among the dense, breathtaking woods that bring you to the famous Payer temple. This temple was built in the 10th century from one single monolith stone. The vistas of snow-clad mountain peaks right behind this temple are definitely worth every journey.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: minimum 5 hours
4. Tarsar Lake
Who loves trekking? For many mountain lovers, a trip to any hill station is incomplete without a solid trekking journey accompanying it. The trek to Tarsar and her twin Marsar Lake is a time-consuming and arduous one, but in essence, it is visitor friendly and can be accomplished by anyone. The Tarsar Lake is a famous high-altitude alpine lake that freezes during the winter and becomes one of the most exotic places to visit in Pulwama and Pahalgam. It is also home to endangered brown trout fishes. The surrounding shores of fresh alpine grass and moss add an extra experience of deep satisfaction to the journey.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: open 24 hours
Time taken to visit: 7 days
5. Aharbal Falls
The Niagara falls of Kashmir, as this waterfall has been termed, is easily one of the most coveted tourist places in Pulwama, if not of the whole of Kashmir. It is not only the rushing, wide fall of the Veshu River that is enough to transfix somebody, but it is also this surrounding peace and vegetation, delicious food stalls, and open dazzling skies overhead that together make this place irreplaceable. If you follow the river a little further you can also have the good fortune of watching the ways you meet Jhelum. This location is also famous for activities like river rafting and trout fishing.
Entry fee:
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Kashmir is a versatile state with many different landscapes and terrains. Pulwama however is the ripest valley of the state and is almost always producing plenty of grains and vegetables for the whole of Kashmir to enjoy. This is why Pulwama is called the ‘rice bowl of Kashmir’ or the ‘Dudhakul of Kashmir’
A. Tarsar lake is a famous camping location for tourists. However, there are strict restrictions on how tourists have to conduct themselves while visiting this lake.
A. It takes approximately 2 hours to reach Aharbal from Pulwama by road.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Pulwama Travel Package is often confusing because of the sheer amount of choices that are presented to the Tourist. This is exactly where you need the help of an experienced travel guide and agent who can assist you in fulfilling the needs of you and your loved ones without compromising on anything on your trip! What are you waiting for? Contact TRISOJ today and book your dream Travel Packages for Kashmir sitting right at home!
