The Geography and Culture of the Himalayas

The Himalayas, the “abode of eternal snow”, is a relatively young range which took five to seven million years to rise. The height of the range is still going on and it rose 2000 metres in the last 20.000 years. In past the Himalayas acted as a natural barrier against invadors but, at the same time, it has always been a land of trade, pilgrimage and ethnic exchange.

The Himalayan snow-capped peaks and glaciers have always inspired mysticism and poetry. There are innumerable references to these mountains in many Indian holy books where they are considered the dwelling place of Gods, heroes and sages. The power of cleansing all sins is also given to these holy mountains. From the Himalayas rise most of the Indian rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Hindus and Brahmaputra whose waters are considered holy and related to the rich and diverse Indian mythology.

The mountain range streches 2700 kilometres from Kashmir to the Brahamaputra and is a region of great variety of landscape and culture.

The beatiful alpine valleys of Kashmir have been destination of travellers since centuries.

The Trans-himalayan region of Ladakh is the northernmost part of the Indian Himalayas. The “silk route” passed from this arid and lunar landscape where Leh, the capital, was the resting point of caravans after climbing some dangerous and strenous passes. Himachal Pradesh is home of Gods and Goddess, the local people, god-fearing and peaceful, performe rituals to promote peace and armony in the world. Myths and rituals here always simbolize the perpetual struggle between god and evil. Forest covered slopes, snow-covered peaks, high altitude deserts, barren rocky cliffs, rivers, streams and gorges are some of the jewels of this western region of the Himalayas.

Uttaranchal, a recently created state, includes the charming Garwal and Kumaon region, two vast areas which boast some of the most beatiful landscape of the Himalayas and the famous Nanda Devi peak.

Sikkim is famous for Kanchenjunga, the second world higest peak sacred to Biddhist and Hindus. This small Himalayanstate is an area of tremendous varieties of nature, culture and religion. But the influence of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan traditions are felt throughout the state.

© 2007 Wild Himalayas

The Indian and Himalayas Travel Experts