Himachal Geography-Climate in Himachal,Lakes,Glaciers,Hot water springs-India

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The state of Himachal Pradesh has boundaries with the Jammu and Kashmir in the North, Uttar Pradesh in the Southeast, China on east, Haryana in the South and Punjab in the West. It is located between 30"22' and 30"12' north latitude and between 75"47' and 79"4' east longitude. The mountainous state has altitudes ranging from 350 to 7000 meters (1050 ft. to 21000 ft.) above the sea level. 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 Himalayas are also the highest mountain system in the world.

Himalayas in Himachal

There are three Himalayan zones :
Western Himalayas -	Jammu-Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh
Central Himalayas -	Hill Districts of Uttar Pradesh
Eastern Himalayas -	Sangrila Range and Brahmaputra Watershed
Himachal Pradesh can be divided into three zones :
The outer Himalayas The inner Himalayas The greater Himalayas

Climate in Himachal Pradesh

The Himalaya constitute the highest mountain system of the world. By October, nights and mornings are very cold. Snowfall at elevations of about 3000mtrs is about 3mtrs and lasts from December to March. About 4500mtrs, is perpetual snow. The main season is the spring from mid- Feb to March-April. The air is cool and fresh. Colourful flowers adorn the valleys, forest slopes and meadows. In the hill stations, the climate is pleasant and comfortable.The rains start at the end of June. The entire landscape becomes green and fresh. Streams begin to swell and springs are replenished. The heavy rains in July and August cause damage to erosion, floods and landslides. Dharamshala has the highest rainfall of 3400mm. Spiti is the driest area (below 50mm rainfall) being enclosed by high mountains on all sides.

Glaciers in Himachal Pradesh

Himalayas have nearly 15,000 glaciers and it is one of the largest continental area under ice. It is estimated that about 34,000 sq. km., about 18 % of the Himalayas is always covered with ice.

Bara Shigri Bada Shigri is the largest glacier in Himachal Pradesh. It is located in the Chandra valley of Lahaul and it feeds the river Chenab.

Chandra Glacier It falls in the Lahaul - Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. It is located on the slopes of the main Himalaya.

Chandra Nahan Glacier It is located on the South-Eastern slopes of the main Himalaya in the area to the North-West of Rohru in Himachal Pradesh.

Bhadal Glacier Bhadal glacier is located on the South-Western slopes of the Pir Panjal range in the Bara Banghal area of Kangra district.

Bhaga Glacier It is located on the slopes of the main Himalayan range in Lahaul area. This glacier feeds the river Bhaga.

The Lady of Keylong The Lady of Keylong glacier is very popular among visitors. The name 'Lady of Keylong' was given by 'Lady Elashainghday' about a century ago during British ruling.

Rivers of Himachal Pradesh

There are no. of rivers in himachal Pradesh among them five are the major rivers.

Satluj River - 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.

Beas River - The Rohtang pass at 13,050 feet ( 4,350 meters ), 51 km. North of Manali gateway to the valleys of Lahaul and Spiti lies on the main Manali-Leh highway. During the season from early June to mid-October, thousands of tourists visit the pass eavery day.Besides affording a magnificent view of the snow-clad mountains of Lahaul, this pass is also the source of the river Beas

Ravi River - Ravi river rises from the Bara Banghal ( a branch of Dhauladhar ) as a joint stream formed by the glacier-fed Badal and Tant Gari. In later Sanskritic 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.

Chenab River - Two streams namely Chandra and Bhaga rise on the opposite sides of the Baralacha pass at an elevation of 4,891 meters and meet at Tandi at an elevation of 2,286 meters to form the river Chenab.

Yamuna River - It enters Himachal Pradesh at Khadar Majri in Sirmaur district. Yamuna river is the largest tributary of the Ganga.

Lakes in Himachal

Himachal has dozens of large and small lakes spread over the state.

Maharana Pratap Sagar - located in district Kangra.

Gobind Sagar Lake This vast reservoir lies in the district of Bilaspur and Una.

Khajjiar Lake (in district Chamba, 16 km from Dalhousie and 25 km from Chamba)

Manimahesh Lake (in district Chamba, 32 km from Bharmaur)

Prashar Lake (in district Mandi, 30 to 40 km from Mandi town)

Chandra Tal Lake (6 km from the Kunzam Pass that connects Spiti and Lahaul)

Suraj Tal Lake below the summit of the Barachala Pass in the Lahaul division of district Lahaul and Spiti

Dashir Lake (near the Rohtang Pass that connects district Kullu with Lahaul)

Nako Lake (in the Pooh sub-division of district Kinnaur)

Rewalsar Lake (in district Mandi, 24 km from Mandi town)

Lama Dal Lake (In district Chamba 45 km from Chamba town)

Hot Springs in Himachal

Nature has blessed Himachal pradesh with a number of Hot Springs. Hot Water Springs in Himachal Pradesh have become very popular because of their medicinal properties.

Hot Springs at Manikaran ( District Kullu ) Manikaran is 45 km. from Kullu.

Hot Springs at Vashisht ( District Kullu ) Vashisht is 6 km. from Manali.

Hot Springs at Tattapani ( District Mandi ) Tattapani is 51 km. from Shimla and 29 km.

Hot Springs at Kasol ( District Kullu ) It is 32 km. from Bhuntar.

Hot Springs at Khirganga ( District Kullu ) Another Hot Spring site is Khirganga. It is 26 km. from Kullu.