India
Himalayas
About India Himalayas
Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the
world, extend along the northern frontiers of Pakistan, India, Nepal,
Bhutan, and Burma.
Nestling five major states of the country within
it, Himalayan range covers the entire northern part of India. Many major
mountains are located entirely within India, such as Nanda Devi (7,817
meters) in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
The Himalayan system is made up of three parallel
ranges, the Greater Himalayas, the Lesser Himalayas, and the Outer
Himalayas. These are about 2,400 kilometers in length and varying in
width from 240 to 330 kilometers. Sometimes these Himalayas are also
called the Great Himalayan Range. The snow line averages 4,500 to 6,000
meters on the southern side of the Greater Himalayas and 5,500 to 6,000
on the northern side. The snow line in the eastern Himalayas averages
4,300 meters, because of climatic conditions while in the western
Himalayas it averages 5,800 meters.
The ancient Indian pilgrims who have travelled in
these mountains since time immemorial coined a Sanskrit word for the
Himalayas meaning "Abode of Snow". 'Abode of Snow is also known as the king of
mountains. Himalayas is the youngest system in the world formed in
Oligocence period. Himalayas gave birth to great rivers Indus and its
four tributaries.
Himalayan Lands
India
In India, Himalayas have been a land
for worshiping and the abode of Lord Shiva. Most of the tourists are
attracted towards Himalayas for its lovely trekking hikes and the lovely
people of the mountains with their unique hospitable lifestyles. Entire
northern part of India is covered by Himalayan range, covering five
major states - Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim
and North Eastern Seven Sisters (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland,
Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram).
Nepal
The altitude of Nepal Mountain
Region ranges between 4877-m.- 8848 m. It includes 8 of the
highest 14
summits in the world, which exceed altitude of 8,000m including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and others. Nepal is the home of the World's
highest mountains and the forested plains. Mount Everest lies in the
same area.
Bhutan
Situated in the heart of the great
Himalayas, Bhutan is flanked on the north and north west by Tibet, the
plains of North-East India to the south and south west and the hills of
India's north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh to the east. Bhutan is
also called the mountain kingdom and is the worlds most exclusive
tourist destination. Bhutan is also known as the land of the Thunder
Dragon.
Tibet
Tibet is called the "Roof of the
world". Even the valley bottoms of Tibet are higher than the highest
mountains elsewhere. The on road adventure is a drive of over about
970-kms. This Trans-Himalaya drive goes through the four mountain
passes.
Major Indian Himalayan Regions
Jammu & Kashmir : The Himalayan range in
Kashmir offers some of the most rigorous mountaineering challenges
one can ever come across. The glaciers of Ladakh and Kashmir regions
are great sightseeing. And the Siachen glacier known as the largest
glacier outside the Polar Regions.
Himalayan Regions in Kashmir :
Ladakh
Sonamarg
Siachen Glacier
Zangla
Zanskar
Uttaranchal
Uttaranchal is known as the "Devbhumi"
that has attracted tourists and pilgrims from
world over since time
immemorial. Comprising of eight hill districts and an area and
population that equals the state of Himachal Pardesh, Uttaranchal is an
expression of divinity, austerity, meditation, penance and attainment.
Uttaranchal is a paradise for adventure sports. The
sheer variety ranging from Mountaineering, , Skiing, Skating, Trekking,
Water Sports to Aero Sports like Hang Gliding, Paragliding make
Uttaranchal one of the most attractive destinations for adventure sports
not only in India but the world over.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is the
land of snow, cascading streams, alpine meadows & lush fruit-laden
valleys. Many parts of the Himachal state have a distinctly Austrian
look with conifer-clad mountains, chalet-like huts with overhanging
balconies and serene blue valleys watered by snow-fed streams. Himachal
also have wonderful hill stations.
Shimla,
Dalhousie,
Kullu,
Manali and
Kufri are a few of the hill
Stations which offer breathtaking scenery and countless options of
adventure sports .
Dharamshala,
where the Dalai Lama lives, is another important centre on the tourist
map.
Sikkim
Sikkim is now the 22nd State of
India. It is rooted to the Himalayan Massif like a scale on the neck of
a Dragon. Sikkim One of the smallest states of India. An awe-inspiring
mass of rock clothed in dazzling white snow, this Himalayan giant in the
world's third highest peak at 8,590m (28,199ft). The name itself means
'house of five treasures' represented by its five soaring summits.
The North Eastern States - Seven Sisters
The seven sisters comprise of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland,
Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya and Mizoram. While the seven sisters are
unique in their own way, the major Himalayan destination over here is
Arunachal Pradesh. The state provides abundant scope for angling,
boating, rafting, trekking and hiking.
Northern Himalayas
The Outer or Southern Himalayas, averaging 900 to
1,200 meters in elevation, lie between the Lesser Himalayas and the
indo-Gangetic Plain. This southernmost range is often referred to as the
Siwalik Hills, in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
It is possible to identify a fourth, and
northernmost range, known as the Trans-Himalaya. This range is located
entirely on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, north of the great west-to-east
trending valley of the Yarlung Zangbo River.
The submerged landmasses on either side started
pushing towards each other, giving birth to these mountains. This was a
relatively recent occurrence in the geographical time frame, so the
Himalaya is considered a young and fragile land formation.
Scientists speculate that the whole process took five to seven million
years. Fossil finds at heights of over 8,000 metres (26,000 feet)
support these theories.
North East Himalayas
Also known as Lesser Himalayas, these Himalayas
range from 1,500 to 5,000 meters in height. North East Himalayas located
in northwestern India in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttar
Pradesh, in north-central India in the state of Sikkim, and in
northeastern India in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Shimla (Simla)
and Darjiling (Darjeeling) are
the hill stations Located in the Lesser Himalayas. Although the
Himalaya can be traced to the Arakans and Arunachal in the east, its
majesty is truly encountered only when one reaches Bhutan and Sikkim.
The 8,682 metre (28,483-foot)-tall Kanchenjunga overshadows all else in
Sikkim. This beautiful mountain is considered sacred by Hindus and
Buddhists alike and its name translates as the ' Treasure of Five
Jewels'. It is the third-highest mountain in the world.
Travel Tips For Himalayas
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All Himalayan ranges holds significant
religious importance for one and all in India. So, do not drink, smoke,
wear shoes in sacred places, touch people/take photographs of religious
building or priest, Body exposure, romantic passes in public places.
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Do not abuse/hate Himalayan village people. Their
culture and rituals may look odd/ unrational to you but they are very
deeply concerned with them and are proud of what they are.
-
Never take pictures/movies of army
installations/buildings/army convoy/army people. India share it's
borders with Pakistan, Bangla Desh and China and taking pictures
knowingly-unknowingly may land you in big trouble which can be detention
or imprisonment or both.
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Do not buy/sell/use drugs.You may land up in
prison for such activities.
Activities on Himalayas
Trekking, Nature Walk, Mounatineeering
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