Himachal Pradesh is situated in the North of
India below Jammu and Kashmir. Sirmaur district falls in the South of Himachal
while Kinnaur is in Eastern stretch and Kangra, Una lie in the Western
territories of Himachal Pradesh. China and Tibet have their boundaries with
Kinnaur and Lahual-Spiti. Kinnaur, Shimla and Sirmaur touch the boundary of Uttaranchal.
Solan and Sirmaur have their boundaries with Haryana while Solan. Bilaspur and
Kangra districts lie with the boundaries of Punjab. Chamba and Lahaul Spiti
touch Jammu and Kashmir. Hamirpur, Mandi and Kullu districts do touch the
boundaries of any other state.
The average altitude of Himachal Pradesh is
between 300 to 7000 mts from sea level.
Mountain
Ranges
Long stretches of Hills are called mountain
ranges . Himachal Pradesh has following mountain ranges falling in its
territory
1.
Shivalik Mountain Ranges
2.
Solasinghi Hills
3.
Dhauladhar Mountain Range
4.
Pir Panjal Mountain Range
5.
Great Himalayan Range
6.
Zaskar Mountain Range
Shivalik Mountain Range the ancient name of this stretch was Mainak
Hills. The lowest hills of Himachal falls in this range. The Western
territories of Knagra, Una Bilaspur and Solan districts fall in kthis range, Shivalik
range separated Kangra, Una, Bilaspur and Solan from Hishiarpur (Punjab),
Chandigarh and Haryana, Kalka and Parwanoo are in the lap of this range. The average
altitude of this range is 600 to 1100 mts. Form sea level.
Solasinghi Hills: This small
range of hills is located in Una district. It separates the northern edge of
Kangra, Hamirpur and Bilaspur from Ina. Govind Sagar falls in this range. The
average height of these hills is 300-600 mts. From sea level.
Dhauladhar Mountain Range: Dhauladhar means white coverage. These
hills remain covered with white snow throughout the year. The small stretch of
this range passes through chamba district. This range separates Chamba district
form Kangra district. Dharmashala, Mecleodganj, Palampur and bara bhangal of
Kangra district, Banikhet, Dalhousie, Chauri khas and bakloh of Chamba district
and Manali of Kullu district are situated in the foot hills of Dhauladhar
range.
Pir Panjal Mountain range: The largest part of this range falls in
chamba district, it separated Chamba from Lahaul Spiti, Kilar, Dharwas, Sach
Pass, Cheni Pass, churah, Tisa, Bharmour, Kugti, Kailash of Chamba district, Rohtang Pass of Kullu
district and Tindi, triloknarth, Tandi, Udaipur, gondla , Sissu and Khoksar of
jLahaul-Spiti fall in this range, ravi river flows between Pir Panjal range and
dhauladhar Range,Ravi originated from the foot hills (Bara Bhangal) of Pir
Panjal range. Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar range join together near rohtang Pass. Chenab
River flows beside Pir Panjal range. The average altitude of this range is
between 4000 to 5500 mts. From sea level.
The Great Himalayas: Most part of this range is devoid of life or
is lifeless. This range passes through the centre of Lahaul Spiti and touches
the inner regions of Kinnaur. Zingizingbar, Darcha, Kunzam-la Pass. Kalaksar,
Bara Shigri Glacier, tiling of
Lahaul-Spiti and Lang-Thang, change-math, Kangi, rispe, Kinner Kailash of
Kinnaur district fall in this range. The elevation of this range is between
5000 to 6000 mts. from sea level. Sutlej River carved this range near rispa in
Kinnaur. Miar Nadi, Chandra Nadi, bhaga Nadi and Spiti Nadi of Lahaul-Spiti
sprout from this range.
Zaskar Mountain range: This is the highest mountain range in
Himachal .it falls in the Eastern stretch of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur
districts. It separated Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur from china Tibet. The highest
peak of Shilla(7025) falls in this range. Lingti Nadi bifurcates this range before joining Spiti River.
The average height of this range is 7000 mts.
Rivers
There are five chief rivers flowing through himachal Pradesh
They are
1.Sutlej
2.Beas
3.Yamuna
4.Ravi
5.Chenab or chanderbhaga
1. Sutlej : Anciently this river was known as Sutadri, Shatdru or
Shatdui. This river originates from Mansarover(Tibet) and enters Kinnaur near
Shipki. It flows nearby Pooh, Jangi, rispa, Kalpa, Tappari, Wangtu and
Karchham. Sutlej enters Shimla district near Jeori and flows alongh with the
boundaries of Shimla and Mandi Districts. Near Dehar it enters Bilaspur district,
it leaves Himachal near Nangal and covers the area of Punjab.
Tributaries : Spiti, Baspa, Bhaba (Kinnaur) are the chief
tributaries of Sutlej. Ali Khan (Bilaspur) is also thetributary of Satluj.
Town : Pooh, Kalpa, Tappri, Wangru, Rampur, Duttnagar, Dalash,
Basantpur, Tattapani and Bilaspur towns are located on the bank of Sutlej.
Dams : Govind Sagar and Bhakra Dam.
Bridges : Kundraur (Bilaspur-Ghurnawwin road), Luhri(Shimla –Kullu-
Ani), Wangtu(Kinnair) and Gambhar(Bilaspur-Chandigarh)
2. Beas: This river has
been called bipasa or Arzikia anciently. In 326 B.C The army of Alexander failed
to cross this river due to heavy flow of water. It starts form Beas Kund. Beas Kund
is situated at the foot of Rohtang pass near Larji it enters Mandi District
After flowing through jMandi District it touches the boundaries of Hamirpur and
Kangra jSistricts. Near Nadaun it enters Kangra District beas leaves Himachal
near Mirthal and goes into Punjab.
Tributaries: Parvati, Malan-nala, Pin , Solang, Servery (Kullu),
uhal, Luni, bina, Tirthan, Hansa, Rama, Suketi, Panodi, Son Bated, Juni
(Mandi), Man, Kunah(Hamirpur) and Joul Khad, Loond Khad, Nakkehar, Tara, Binwa,
Neogal, Gaj, Naner, chakki, Ban Ganga etc. Of Kangra.
Dams: Pandoh(Mandi), Pong Dam(Haripur), Garli Chamukha, Ghalore,
Bari, Dehra, Haripur, Guler , Mangowal, Dada siba etc. towns and villages of
Kangra fall on the banks or near Beas.
3. Yamuna: the ancient
name of this river was Kalindi. This river has emotional relations with Lord Krishna.
It originates form Yamnotri (Uttranchal) and flowing toward West & South it
enters Sirmaur. Aftger flowing with the boundaries of Sirmaur and Haryana ti enters Haryana near
Tajewala.
Tributaries: Giri, Bata(Sirmari),
Rupon, Pabbar (Shimla) and Tons (Uttaranchal)
Bridges: Link bridge between Nahan and Dehradun.
Towns: Hat Koti, chirgaon, Rohru and Khara Pathar town’s villages
fall on the bank of Pabbar River. Ponta Sahib falls on the bank of Yamuna.
4.Ravi: Anciently the river had been known as
Iravati Purushani. This river takes shape with the confluence3 of two rivers Bhadar and Tantfiri near bara Bhangal (Dharam-shala)
in the foothills of Dhauladhar Mountain Range. It flows through Chamba and
enters Jammu and Kashmir.
Tributaries
: Bhdhal, Rundehan , Chhitari, Seul, chamera, Sal, chirchand and Baljedi
etc.
Towns
: Khajjar, Chhitari, Rakh, Sherpur, Bhanot, Chamba etc. Chamba falls on the
right back.
5.
Chenab: The vedic name of Chenab (Chanderbhaga) is Asikani. It takes shapes
near Keylong (Lahaul & Spiti) after the merger of Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
It enters Chamba and finally it goesinto Jammuy& Kashmir.
Towns:
Therot, shansa, Sissu, Triloknath, Udaypur, Khoksar, Namu (Lahual &
Spiti) Kilar (Chamba)etc.
