Pahalgam (Urdu pronunciation: [pɛɦɛlɡɑːm]) or Pahalgom (Kashmiri pronunciation: [pəhəlʲɡoːm]) is a town in Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on the banks of Lidder River at an altitude of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) in the Vale of Kashmir. Pahalgam is the headquarters of the Pahalgam tehsil, one of the eleven tehsils in Anantnag district.

Located about 45 km (28 mi) from Anantnag, the town is a popular tourist destination and hill station. The town is the starting point of the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath Temple, which takes place in July–August.

Pahalgam literally means "village of the shepherds" in Kashmiri, with "Pạhạlʸ" meaning shepherds and "Gōm" meaning village. In Hindu literature, the region is mentioned as "Bailgaon", meaning "village of the bull", to indicate where the Hindu god Shiva left his bull on the way to Amarnath.

Pahalgam is located in Anantnag district of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at an altitude of 2,200 m (7,200 ft) in the Lidder Valley, which extends east of Jhelum River in the Vale of Kashmir. The two streams of Lidder River—East and West Lidder—join near Pahalgam before proceeding through the narrow valley. At Pahalgam, the valley divides into two, one heading towards Amarnath in the northeast and another leading to Aru in the northwest. The region is made up of volcanic and limestone rocks interspersed with asymmetrical roche rocks. The vegetation in the region is dominated by evergreen fir and coniferous trees such as pine and spruce.

Pahalgam has a temperate climate, with mild summers and cold winters. The temperature variation across the day in minimal in the winter months of December to February. Cold winds can result in a steep decrease in nighttime temperatures in winter to below zero. Winter can result in heavy snowfall of up to 4 m (13 ft) thick. Summer extends from June to October, when the temperatures are at a maximum. Pahalgam receives most of the precipitation from late winter after November to May before the onset of summer.

As of 2011^[update], Pahalgam had a population of 9,264 people. Males constitute 59.8% of the population and females 40.2%. The town had an average literacy rate of 64.9% amongst the population of seven years and above. About 48% of the eligible age group were employed full-time, and 10% had casual employment. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up about two percent of the population. Islam was the major religion, with 80% adherents, with Hindus forming the second largest group (17.6%).

Pahalgam is administered by the Pahalgam Municipal Committee. The municipal committee is responsible for providing basic civic amenities such as water supply, sanitation and waste management, and other government services. The town is divided into 13 wards which elect their own local body representative to the municipal council.

Pahalgam is well-connected with other regions of Jammu and Kashmir by roads. The NH 501 connects Pahalgam with Anantnag. State-run bus services and private buses connect the town with Anantnag, Jammu, and Srinagar. The nearest major rail heads are located at Udhampur and Jammu, about 217 km (135 mi) and 285 km (177 mi) away respectively. The nearest airport is the Srinagar International Airport, about 95 km (59 mi) from Pahalgam.