Affectionately called the Rice Bowl of Kashmir, Pulwama lies 40 km from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. The proximity to Srinagar has made it an interesting place of tourist interest. Earlier known as Panwangam and Pulgam, Pulwama town is a notified area committee located in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir, the northern state of India. Pulwama is situated at 32.88°N 74.92°E. It has an average altitude of 5,350 feet.

There are many historical and religious places of interest at Pulwama, which are visited by tourists round the year. Apart from that, there are places of raw beauty here. Owing to these mesmerizing places, Pulwama town has become a renowned tourist destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Some worth-visiting places of religious interest include Avanteeshwara Temple, Payer Temple, Nagberan and Kungwatten. Some other religious places of interest belonging to the Islamic community are also popular here.

Pulwama comprises plains and mountains along with lakes and streams, all of which come together to create beautiful scenery in the district.

Geography

This interesting town was turned into a district in 1979. Today, this district of Jammu & Kashmir comprises 323 villages that are distributed into 5 tehsils. This place was home to stunning streams, beautiful lakes, lush forests and vast mountains. Pulwama has made itself a magnificent agricultural town known for its paddy, oil seeds and saffron production. It is most popularly known for rice and milk production. Handicraft development and Shawl manufacturer are some other primary industries of Pulwama.

Sightseeing

Pulwama town is a picturesque town and it is emerging fast as a much visited tourist destination. There are many places that you can explore in this town because it is a land of scenic valleys, natural springs and breathtaking waterfalls. Pulwama town is also popular for its temples.

Asar Shareif Pinjoora Temple

One of the prominent temples here, Asar Shareif Pinjoora is situated nearly 12 km away from the main town area and calls for a visit.

Kungwattan

A beautiful meadow located near Pulwama, Kungwattan is a must visit for its countryside look. You have to take a pony ride to get here because there are no motorable roads for Kungwattan.

Payer Temple

About 3 km from Pulwama, Payer Temple is named after the village in which it is located. Also called Payech Temple, this place is highly regarded for its ancient architecture that dates back to 10th century. This temple is unique because it is made out of a monolithic stone.

Aharbal Fall

When the beautiful Vaishav River flows down mountainous regions of Pulwama, it gives rise to the very stunning Aharbal Falls. At a height of 24.4 m, this waterfall is a definitive tourist spot. This waterfall is surrounded by thick Fir forests.

Shikargah

A recently developed tourist spot in Pulwama, Shikargah is the place known for its wildlife spotting. Located 3 km from Tral, it is said that this place was frequently visited by Maharaja Hari Singh.

Aripal Nag

If you want to enjoy some scenic beauty, Aripal Nag is the place to be. It is a green place surrounded by high mountains.

Hurpora

A beautiful and scenic spot in Pulwama, Hurpora is easily accessible from Jama Masjid Shopian. It is on the way to Pir Panjal and a beautiful picnic spot.

Tarsar and Marsar Lake

Located a few kilometers from one another, Tarsar and Marsar Lake are beautiful places to see. They are accessible from Nagberan and they are both closely associated with the folk culture of Pulwama.

Shrine of Syed Hassan Mantaqui

Located in Pulwama district, the Shrine of Syed Hassan Mantaqui is a renowned place of religious significance. It is located on the national highway because of which it is easily accessible.

Shrine of Shah Hamdan

Constructed by Syed Ali Hamdani, the Shrine of Shah Hamdan is another place of religious significance in the region. This place is visited by tourists in large numbers on an annual basis when they host a festival in the name of the saint revered here.

Culture of Pulwama

Pulwama primarily comprises Pahari culture, which is specific to the hilly regions of India. The people here mostly lead a nomadic life because of which they are strong and well built. They are hard working and walk a lot. The primary occupation of people here is agriculture and cattle rearing. That is one of the reasons why Pulwama has many stunning meadows and green landscapes.

The men and women mostly wear ponchos here to keep themselves warm. Most of the population here comprises Muslims. However, Tral area has a higher ration of Sikh population.

Kashmiri and Urdu are the widely spoken languages here. Although Pulwama primarily has Muslim population, festivals such as Diwali and Dushhera are celebrated here with as much as fervor as Id ul Fitr and Eid ul Zuha.

Best Time to Visit

Pulwama is a much popular town in Kashmir and tourists visit the place during different months when the climate conditions remain pleasant for extended period of time. During summers, days are warm and one gets to see bright sunshine. During winters, days are quite cold and temperatures sometimes drop below freezing point. Rainfall occurs during monsoon period. The best time to visit Pulwama is between April and October. In Pulwama, the summer season falls between April and June. During summers, climate is warm and average temperatures range between 22 degree Celsius and 35 degree Celsius. May is the hottest month.

How to Reach

By Road

You can reach Pulwama town by taxis and buses. Pulwama is at a distance of about 40 km from Srinagar.

By Rail

The nearest railway station from Pulwama is Jammu and it is located nearly 340 km from the main town.

By Air

You can also travel Pulwama by air. If you decide to travel by air, the most recommended route is hiring a taxi once you land at Srinagar airport. Srinagar airport is well connected to major cities like Bangalore, Jammu, Mumbai and Delhi.

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