Have you come across the place‑name “Pahalgam” while planning a trip to Kashmir or reading about the Himalayas and wondered how to say it? Once you learn the stress pattern and vowel sounds, it’s easy.

Step‑by‑Step Pronunciation Guide

• Phonetic spelling: /pəˈhʌl ɡɑːm/
• Simplified: puh‑HAL‑gahm

Breaking it down

1. puh – a quick, relaxed “puh” as in “puzzle.”
2. HAL – stressed syllable, rhymes with “pal.”
3. gahm – sounds like “garm,” with a soft “ahm” at the end.

Put the stress on the middle syllable: puh‑HAL‑gahm.

Common Mispronunciations

• Saying “PAH‑hal‑gam” with stress on the first syllable
• Pronouncing the final “gam” like “game”
• Dropping the middle “h” sound and saying “pah‑AL‑gam”

Practice Sentences

• “We’re trekking from Pahalgam to Aru Valley tomorrow.”
• “The river beside Pahalgam is crystal clear.”
• “Many pilgrims stop in Pahalgam before the Amarnath Yatra.”

Pahalgam in Travel and Culture

Often called the ‘Valley of Shepherds,’ Pahalgam is known for lush meadows, trout fishing, and Bollywood film shoots. In winter it becomes a quiet snow‑covered retreat; in summer it’s alive with hikers and pony rides to spots like Betaab Valley and Chandanwari.

Pahalgam (sometimes written “Pahalgaon”) is a picturesque hill station in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir, India. Set at the confluence of the Lidder River and Sheshnag Lake, it’s famous for its pine forests, meadows, and as the base camp for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. In Kashmiri, the name is often explained as “village of shepherds.”