Geography

Himachal takes its name from the Himalayas. Himachal literally means 'Land of snowy mountains'. Himalayas, the great mountain system extends almost 2,500 Km., from North-West to South-East and width of Himalayas is between 250 to 300 Km. The Himalayas are one of the youngest among the mountain system in India and these are believed to be 40 millions years old.

The Himalaya constitute the highest mountain system of the world. There is great diversification in the climatic conditions of Himachal due to variation in elevation (450-6500mtrs). It varies from hot and sub-humid tropical (450-900mtrs) in the southern Low tracts, warm and temperate (900-1800mtrs), cool and temperate (1900-2400mtrs) and cold alpine and glacial (2400-4800mtrs) in the northern and eastern high mountain ranges.

The himalayan mountain chain has a dominant influence on the climatic conditions prevailing over Indian sub-continent. They lie in the path of rain-bearing monsoon winds and thus bring rain to a large part of India. The Himalaya houses a vast reservoir of moisture both in the form of ice, fresh-water and underground water.

Satluj rises from beyond Indian borders in the Southern slopes of the Kailash mountain near Mansarover lake from Rakas lake, as Longcchen Khabab river ( in Tibet ). It is the largest among the five rivers of Himachal Pradesh. It enters Himachal at Shipki ( altitude 6,608 meters ) and flows in the South-Westerly direction through Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Solan, Mandi and Bilaspur districts. Its course in Himachal Pradesh is 320 km. from Rakastal.

The Beas river forms the world famous valleys of Kullu and Kangra. The river emerges from a cavern at the Rohtang pass and passes through the fields of Punjab and Pakistan before flowing into the Arabian Sea. The world famous tourist resort of Manali is situated on the right banks of the river Beas. The important settlement on the bank of Beas river are Kullu, Mandi, Bajaura, Pandoh, Sujanpur Tihra, Nadaun and Dehra-Gopipur. The total length of this river is 460 km.

Ravi river rises from the Bara Banghal ( a branch of Dhauladhar ) as a joint stream formed by the glacier-fed Badal and Tant Gari. The right bank tributaries of the Ravi are the Budhil, Tundahan Beljedi, Saho and Siul; and its left bank tributary worth mentioning is Chirchind Nala. The world famous town Chamba is situated on the right bank of the river Ravi. In later Sanskrit period it came to be known by the name of Irawati. The Ravi river flows by the foot of Dalhousie hill, through the famous Chamba valley. The river with its length of about 158 km. in Himachal has a catchment area of about 5,451 sq. km.

Two streams namely Chandra and Bhaga rise on the opposite sides of the Baralacha pass at an elevation of 4,891 metres and meet at Tandi at an elevation of 2,286 metres to form the river Chenab. The Chenab rises from the South-East and Bhaga from the North-West of the Baralacha pass. It enters Pangi valley of Chamba district near Bhujind and leaves the district at Sansari Nala to enter Podar valley of Kashmir. It flows in Himachal for 122 km. With its total length of 1,200 km. It is the largest river of Himachal Pradesh in terms of volume of waters.

It enters Himachal Pradesh at Khadar Majri in Sirmaur district. Yamuna river is the largest tributary of the Ganga. The Yamuna river has mythical relation to the Sun. It rises from Yamunotri in Gharwal hills and forms the Eastern boundary with Unttar Pradesh. The Yamuna is the Eastern-most river of Himachal Pradesh. Its total catchment area in Himachal Pradesh is 2,320 km.

Himachal has dozens of large and small lakes spread over the state. The state has a geographical area of 56,000 sq. km. of which one percent is covered by lakes. Some are natural bequests that may well date back millions of years to the time when the region was a vast island sea. Today, they are fed by streams of pure snow-melt or by ground-water springs. Practically without exception, they are held sacred.

Shilla, Leo Pargial, Shipki, Manerang, Mulkila, Kinner Kailash, Jorkaden, Dibibokri Pyramid, Gyephang, Phawarang, Shigrila, Indrasan, Shikhar Beh, Mukar Beh, Gepang Goh, Deo Tibba, Solang, Pir Panjal, Maiwa Kandinoo, Hanuman Tibba, Bara Kanda, Pishu, Kailash, Saltu-Da-Par, Gushu, Raldang, Shitindhar, Srikhanda, Thamsar, Lachalunga, Murangla, Shringla, Inder Kila, Pin Parbati, Choordhar, etc.

List of 61 Important Passes and Jots in Himachal Pradesh. Basodan, Dulchi, Bhabu, Padri, Jalori, Chauri, Rashol Jot, Pajanund Galu, Khauli Galu, Jalsu Ka Jot, Chanderkhani Galu, Tainti Galu, Baleni Jot, Gharhu Jot, Sari Galu, Waru Pass, Shibaling Pass, Rohtang Pass, Bherianga Pass, Hamtah Jot Pass, Singoor Pass, Indrahar Pass, Tori Jot, Sach Pass, Ranjcha Pass, Shipkila, Kunzum Pass, Shi Jot, Rangchi Galu, etc.

Article containing details of the world famous beautiful and gorgeous valleys of Himachal Pradesh. Valleys of Himachal attract a large number of tourists throughout the year. The important valleys are chamba valley, kangra valley, kullu valley, sangla or baspa valley, satluj valley, pabbar or rohru valley, lahaul and spiti valley, balh valley, paonta or kirda dun valley, kunihar valleys, etc.

Nature has blessed Himachal Pradesh with a number of Hot Springs. Hot Springs in Himachal Pradesh have become very popular because of their medicinal properties. Most of these springs are located in the Beas and Satluj valleys. Generally found in Himachal Pradesh are three types of Hot Springs - Simple Springs, Mineral Springs and Thermal Springs.