Hill Ranges of India

India has a diverse range of mountains and hills from the Himalayas in the north to the ancient Aravallis in the west. The hill ranges of India play a very important role in providing freshwater to protection from cold it also gives an edge to India over other neighbouring countries.

In this article, You will get to know about the Hill ranges in India, the List of hill ranges in India, the Importance of hill ranges in India, and much more about it.

Hill ranges contribute to India’s diverse geography, climate, and culture, offering breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and opportunities for adventure and exploration.

1. Himalayas: The highest and youngest mountain range in the world, known for its snow-capped peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
2. Western Ghats: Also known as the Sahyadri Range, it runs parallel to the western coast of India and is recognized for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty.
3. Eastern Ghats: Stretching along the eastern coast of India, the Eastern Ghats are characterized by rolling hills, dense forests, and waterfalls.
4. Aravalli Range: The oldest mountain range in India, it extends across several states in northwestern India and is known for its rocky terrain.
5. Vindhya Range: Located in central India, the Vindhya Range separates the Indo-Gangetic Plain from the Deccan Plateau.
6. Satpura Range: Situated in central India, the Satpura Range is known for its rugged terrain, deep valleys, and dense forests.
7. Nilgiri Hills: Located in southern India, the Nilgiri Hills are famous for their tea plantations, hill stations, and scenic landscapes.
8. Shivalik Range: The outermost range of the Himalayas, it runs parallel to the main Himalayan range and is known for its foothills and valleys.

The Himalayas is the world’s highest mountain range. It stretches for about 2,400 km (1,500 mi) and forms a barrier between the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India and the Tibetan Plateau.

• The Shivaliks (or Outer Himalayas) – The southernmost foothills of the Himalayas, forming a low range of hills.

• The Himachal (or Inner Himalayas) – The central range, including some of the most famous peaks like Dhauladhar, Pir Panjal, and Kumaon Himalayas.

• The Trans-Himalayas (or The Tethys Himalayas) – The northernmost range, consisting of the Karakoram, Ladakh, and Zanskar ranges. K2, the world’s second-highest peak, is found in the Karakoram range.

• The Himalayas act as a natural barrier, protecting the Indian subcontinent from cold Central Asian winds.

• The rivers originating from the Himalayas are the source of water for a large part of India.

• The Himalayas are home to diverse flora and fauna, including many endangered species.

• The Himalayas are a popular destination for mountaineering, trekking, and adventure sports.

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri Mountains, is a mountain range that covers an area of 160,000 square kilometres (62,000 sq mi) and stretches for 1,600 kilometres (990 mi).

• It traverses the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 36 biodiversity hotspots in the world.

• The Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas.

• Height: The average elevation of the Western Ghats is around 1,200 meters (3,900 ft), with the highest peak being Anamudi at 2,695 meters (8,842 ft) located in Kerala.

• The Western Ghats are not a single mountain range but rather a series of smaller ranges, including the Nilgiri Hills, the Anaimalai Hills, the Cardamom Hills, and the Sahyadri Mountains.

The mountain range runs along the eastern coast of India, roughly parallel to the Bay of Bengal. Stretches for about 1,131 km (703 mi) from Odisha in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south.

• Major sections include the Mahendragiri Hills, the Nallamala Hills, the Seshachalam Hills, and the Shevaroy Hills.

• The highest peak is Arma Konda (also known as Jindhagada Peak) in Andhra Pradesh, reaching 1,690 meters (5,545 ft).

• Several rivers like Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri cut through the Eastern Ghats.

• The Nallamala Hills act as a barrier, protecting the Deccan Plateau from the Bay of Bengal cyclones.

• Eastern Ghats are home to various ecosystems, including deciduous forests, scrublands, and plateaus.

• These ecosystems support a rich variety of flora and fauna, including some threatened species.

• The Eastern Ghats are also home to tribal communities with unique cultures and traditions.

The Aravalli Range is a mountain range running approximately 670 km (420 mi) in a north-westerly direction, starting near Delhi, passing through southern Haryana, Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.

• It is considered to be one of the oldest fold mountains on Earth, estimated to be over 2 billion years old, pre-dating the Himalayas.

• The range is composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks, including granite, gneiss, and marble.

• The Sambhar-Sirohi Range is taller and includes Guru Shikhar on Mount Abu, the highest peak in the Aravalli Range at 1,722 meters (5,650 ft).

• The Sambhar-Khetri Range consists of three discontinuous ridges.

• The Aravalli Range forms a natural boundary between the Thar Desert in the west and the Indo-Gangetic Plain in the east.

• The Aravalli Range is also home to historical monuments and forts, including the Ranthambore Fort and the Kumbhalgarh Fort.

The Satpura Range is a significant mountain range located in central India. It Stretches for about 900 kilometres (560 mi) eastwards across the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

•  Vindhya Range to the north, both ranges forming a division between the northern plains and the southern Deccan Plateau.

• While not as high as the Himalayas, the Satpura Range has peaks exceeding 1,200 meters (4,000 ft).

• Dhupgarh (1,350 meters) in Pachmarhi is the highest peak within the Satpura Range.

• The Satpura Range is often referred to collectively with the Mahadeo Hills to the north, the Maikala Range to the east, and the Rajpipla Hills to the west.

• The Maikala Hills include the Amarkantak plateau, the source of the Narmada River.

• The Satpura Range forms the watershed between the Narmada River on the north and the Tapti River on the south.

• The Pachmarhi plateau within the Satpura Range is a popular hill station known for its scenic beauty and caves.

The Vindhya Range, a historic landmark in India, holds significance both geographically and culturally. It stretches roughly 1,086 kilometres (675 mi) east-westwards across central India, from Gujarat state to near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

• It forms the southern escarpment of the central Indian highland, separating the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains of northern India from the Deccan Plateau in the south.

• It’s a non-fold mountain range, primarily created by the downward faulting (sinking) of the Narmada Rift Valley to its south.

• The Vindhya Range is composed of sedimentary rocks, primarily sandstone, giving rise to its characteristic flat-topped mesas.

• The Vindhya Range’s peaks range from 450 to 1,100 meters (1,500 to 3,500 ft).

• Sad-Bhawna Shikhar (or Kalumar Peak) in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh is the highest point at 2,467 feet (752 meters).

• The Vindhya Range is considered one of the seven sacred mountain ranges in Hinduism and is mentioned in ancient scriptures.

• The Vindhya Range acts as a climatic barrier, influencing the weather patterns of north and central India.

The Purvanchal Range, also known as the Eastern Mountains, flanks the northeastern borders of India. It stretches for approximately 98,000 square kilometres (37,900 sq mi) across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and parts of Assam.

• The Purvanchal Range is an eastward extension of the Himalayas, forming a natural border for several northeastern states.

• The Purvanchal Range is a sub-mountain range with lower elevations.

• These hills are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks like sandstone and formed through the accumulation of sediments over millions of years.

• The Purvanchal Range acts as a geographical barrier between India and Myanmar.

• The Purvanchal Range is a significant source of freshwater for the northeastern states.

The Purvanchal Range is a collective term for several smaller hill ranges running parallel north-south:

• Patkai Hills (north)
• Naga Hills (Central)
• Manipur Hills (Central)
• Mizo Hills (south)
• Tripura Hills (south)

India’s hill ranges play a crucial role in the country’s geography, ecology, climate, and even culture.

Climate Regulation

• The Himalayas act as a giant barrier, protecting India from cold Central Asian winds.
• The Western Ghats intercept monsoon winds, bringing rainfall to the western coast.
• The Eastern Ghats and Vindhya Range influence the weather patterns of central and eastern India.

Water Resources

• Many major rivers like the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri originate from the Himalayas or other hill ranges.
• The hill ranges act as watersheds, storing and releasing water gradually throughout the year.

Biodiversity:

• The hill ranges, particularly the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, are biodiversity hotspots with unique flora and fauna, including many endemic species.
• These ranges provide vital habitats for various wildlife, from snow leopards in the Himalayas to tigers in the Western Ghats.

Cultural Significance

• Several hill ranges hold religious importance in Hinduism and other religions.
• The Himalayas are considered sacred, and the Vindhyas are mentioned in ancient scriptures.
• The hills are home to historical forts, temples, and monuments.

India’s Hill ranges are the backbone of the country because the major rivers like the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri originate from the Himalayas or other hill ranges and The Himalayas act as a giant barrier, protecting India from cold Central Asian winds.

The hill ranges, particularly the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, are biodiversity hotspots with unique flora and fauna, including many endemic species. These ranges provide large habitats for various wildlife, from snow leopards in the Himalayas to tigers in the Western Ghats.

Also Read

1. 7 Major Mountains Ranges in India
2. Highest Mountain Peaks in India
3. Himalayan Ranges

How many hill ranges are there in India?

There are 7 mountain ranges in India such as the Karakoram and Pir Panjal ranges, the Himalayan mountains, the Vindhya and Satpura ranges, the Purvanchal range or eastern mountain range, the eastern ghats, the Aravali range, and the western ghats

What are the hill ranges from North to South?

The most popular and the highest mountain range of India is the Himalayan range . The following hill ranges are arranged from North and South – Nallamala Hills , Nilgiri, Anaimalai and Cardamom Hills .

Which is the longest hill range in India?

The Himalayan Mountain ranges are considered as the abode of the mountains, and the youngest and highest mountain range in the world. The Himalayan Mountains extend up to 2,500 km in length. It stretches from Jammu and Kashmir in the north to Arunachal Pradesh in the east.

Which is the oldest hill in India?

The Aravali range is the oldest mountain range in India, running across Rajasthan to Haryana. The Aravalli range is the eroded stub of a range of ancient folded mountains. Aravalli Range is one of the most popular mountain ranges in India also known as mewat hills.

What are the Southern hills of India?

The Nilgiri Hills, located in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala, are a range of mountains known for their breathtaking natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and cultural significance.