Important Mountain Passes In India, State wise List 2024
Important Mountain Passes In India: Mountain passes hold significant importance in India's geography, history, and culture. Check list of important mountain passes in India in the article provided below.
Parul Rishi30 Mar, 2024
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Important Mountain Passes In India: As India have a diverse range of landforms, including mountains and passes, these geographical features hold significant historical, economic, and strategic importance. Throughout history, mountain passes have served as vital conduits for trade, travel, and defense. Candidates should prioritize revising static general knowledge, particularly focusing on the crucial mountain passes of India. Mastering knowledge of these passes is important for success in the general knowledge section of these exams.
Important Mountain Passes In India
Throughout history, passes have been important in facilitating trade, warfare, and the migration of both humans and animals. India is home to significant passes, each possessing unique characteristics—ranging from steep slopes to brief crossings or extensive routes spanning miles. With a total of 68 passes across its plains, India's passes serve as vital connections, linking remote regions of the country with neighboring nations for different purposes. These mountain passes have been central to historical conflicts, trade routes, and the movement of both people and animals, shaping the socio-economic and strategic landscape of the region over centuries.Important Mountain Passes In India List
Mountain passes in India have significantly influenced the nation's history. Serving as crucial conduits for trade, religious pilgrimage, and military campaigns for centuries, these passes continue to captivate tourists and thrill-seekers worldwide. For those planning a visit to India, exploring these mountain passes is a must. Here are some important ones:- Zoji La (Pass): Nestled in the Zaskar range of Jammu & Kashmir, this pass forms a vital artery between Srinagar and Leh, crafted by the Indus River. Standing at an elevation of 3,528 meters, it remains impassable for six months annually due to heavy snowfall, holding strategic significance during Indo-Pak conflicts.
- Banihal Pass: Located in Jammu & Kashmir, this pass is traversed by National Highway NO.1 A, connecting Srinagar and Jammu, shaped by the Indus River.
- Shipki La (Pass): Situated in Himachal Pradesh, this pass at 4,500 meters links India with Tibet, serving as a important trade route between the two nations.
- Bara-Lacha Pass: Found in Himachal Pradesh's Zanskar Range, this pass at 4,890 meters connects Mandi to Leh, often impassable for six months annually due to heavy snowfall.
- Rohtang Pass: Cutting through the Pir Panjal range in Himachal Pradesh, this pass at 3,978 meters links Manali to the Lahaul and Spiti Valleys, frequently closed for six months due to heavy snowfall.
- Mana Pass: Located in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, this pass at an astounding 5,545 meters altitude connects India with Tibet, serving as a critical route to Kailash and Manasarovar, one of the world's highest motorable passes.
- Niti Pass: Situated in Uttarakhand's Himalayan region at 5,816 meters altitude, this pass links India to Tibet, en route to Kailash and Manasarovar, inaccessible for six months due to heavy snow.
- Nathu La (Pass): Nestled in Sikkim at 4,310 meters altitude, this pass historically connected Darjeeling and Chumbi valley to Tibet, reopening in 2006 for bilateral trade post the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict.
- Jalep La (Pass): Also in Sikkim, this pass leading to Bhutan was shaped by the Tista River, serving as a vital gateway between the two regions.
| Name | State | Height (ft) | Between/Separating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asirgarh | Madhya Pradesh | ||
| Auden’s Col | Uttarakhand | 17,552 | |
| Banihal Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Jammu, Kashmir) | 9,291 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Bara-lacha-la | Himachal Pradesh | 16,400 | |
| Bomdila | Arunachal Pradesh | ||
| Changla Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,585 | Leh & Changthang |
| Chanshal Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 14,830 | |
| Dehra Compass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Debsa Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 17,520 | |
| Diphu Pass | Arunachal Pradesh | 4,587 | |
| Dongkhala | Sikkim | 12,000 | |
| Dhumdhar Kandi Pass | Uttarakhand | ||
| Fotu La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 13,451 | |
| Goecha La | Sikkim | 16,207 | |
| Haldighati Pass | Rajasthan | ||
| Indrahar Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 14,473 | |
| Jelep La | Sikkim | 14,300 | |
| Khardung La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,582 | Leh & Nubra |
| Kongka Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 16,965 | Ladakh & Aksai Chin |
| Lanak Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,933 | Ladakh & Tibet |
| Kunzum Pass | Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul and Spiti) | 14,931 | Lahaul & Spiti |
| Karakoram Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | Ladakh & Xinjiang | |
| Lipulekh Pass | Uttarakhand | 17,500 | |
| Lungalacha La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 16,600 | |
| Lamkhaga Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 17,336 | |
| Marsimik La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 18,314 | |
| Mayali Pass | Uttarakhand | 16,371 | |
| Nama Pass | Uttarakhand | 18,399 | |
| Namika La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 12,139 | |
| Nathu La | Sikkim | 14,140 | Sikkim & Tibet |
| Palakkad Gap | Kerala | 750 | Kerala & Tamil Nadu |
| Thamarassery Pass | Wayanad Kerala | 1,700 | Malabar & Mysore |
| Shenkottai pass | Kollam Kerala | 690 | Travancore & Tamil Nadu |
| Pensi La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Rezang La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal Pradesh | 13,051 | Manali & Lahaul |
| Sasser la | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,753 | Nubra & Siachen Glacier |
| Sela Pass | Arunachal Pradesh | 14,000 | |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh | ||
| Sia La | Jammu and Kashmir (Siachen Glacier) | 18,337 | |
| Shingo La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Spangur Gap | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | ||
| Gyong La | Jammu and Kashmir [Siachen Glacier] | 18,655 | |
| Bilafond La | Jammu and Kashmir [Siachen Glacier] | 17,881 | |
| Sin La | Uttarakhand | ||
| Tanglang La | Jammu and Kashmir (Ladakh) | 17,583 | |
| Traill’s Pass | Uttarakhand | 17,100 | |
| Zojila Pass | Jammu and Kashmir (Kashmir, Ladakh) | 12,400 | Kashmir & Ladakh |
Important Mountain Passes In India Region wise List
Important Mountain Passes In India Region wise List is as follows:| Important Mountain Passes In India Region wise List | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pass Name | Location | Description |
| Nathu La Pass | Sikkim | Located on the India-China border, it forms part of an offshoot of the ancient silk route and serves as a trading border post between India and China. |
| Shipki La Pass | Sutlej Gorge, Himachal Pradesh | Connects Himachal Pradesh with Tibet, acting as India’s third border post for trade with China after Lipu Lekh & Nathula Pass. |
| Jelep La Pass | Chumbi Valley, Sikkim | Links Sikkim with Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, traversing through the scenic Chumbi Valley. |
| Qara Tagh Pass | Karakoram Mountains | A subsidiary of the ancient silk route, located in the Karakoram Mountains. |
| Umling La | Leh, Ladakh | Highest motorable pass in India, inaugurated in August 2021, connecting Leh to Pangong Lake. |
| Khardung La | Leh, Ladakh | Second-highest motorable pass, connecting Leh and Siachen glaciers, closed during winter. |
| Thang La | Ladakh | Second-highest motorable pass in India, located in Ladakh. |
| Aghil Pass | Karakoram Mountains | Connects Ladakh with Xinjiang province of China, closed during winter from November to May. |
| Chang-La | Greater Himalayas, Ladakh | High mountain pass connecting Ladakh with Tibet. |
| Lanak La | Aksai Chin, Ladakh | Connects Ladakh and Lhasa, with a road built by Chinese authorities to link Xinjiang with Tibet. |
| Imis La | Ladakh | Pass with difficult terrain and steep slopes, connecting Ladakh and Tibet, closed during winter. |
| Bara-La | Jammu and Kashmir | Situated on the National Highway, linking Manali and Leh. |
| Traill’s Pass | Uttarakhand | Located at the end of the Pindari glacier, connecting Pindari valley to Milam valley, known for its steep and rugged terrain. |
| Lipu Lekh | Uttarakhand-Tibet | Important border post for trade with China, used by pilgrims traveling to Manasarovar. |
| Mana Pass | Uttarakhand-Tibet | Connects Tibet with Uttarakhand, one of the world's highest motorable passes, closed for six months in winter. |
| Mangsha Dhura | Uttarakhand-Tibet | Known for landslides, this pass connects Uttarakhand with Tibet and is traversed by pilgrims on their way to Manasarovar, located in the Kuthi Valley. |
| Muling La | Uttarakhand | Seasonal pass connecting Uttarakhand with Tibet, covered in snow during winter. |
| Niti Pass | Uttarakhand | Joins Uttarakhand with Tibet, remaining snow-covered in winter. |
| Debsa Pass | Spiti Valley and Parvati Valley, Himachal Pradesh | High mountain pass between Kullu and Spiti, serving as a bypass route of Pin-Parvati Pass. |
| Rohtang Pass | Kullu-Lahul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh | Excellent road transportation, connecting Kullu, Spiti, and Lahul, frequently closed due to heavy snowfall. |
| Bomdi-La | Arunachal Pradesh-Lhasa | Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa, located east of Bhutan. |
| Dihang pass | Arunachal Pradesh-Mandalay | Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Mandalay in Myanmar, providing passage at an elevation of over 4000 meters. |
| Diphu pass | Arunachal Pradesh- Mandalay | Strategic pass around the disputed tripoint borders of India, China, and Myanmar, also serving as an approach to eastern Arunachal Pradesh. |
| Pangsau Pass | Arunachal Pradesh- Myanmar | Located on the India-Burma (Myanmar) border, providing a route into Burma from Assam plains. |
| Banihal Pass | Jammu and Kashmir | Popular pass in Pir- Panjal Range, connecting Banihal with Qazigund. |
| Zoji La | Srinagar- Kargil & Leh, Jammu and Kashmir | Connects Srinagar with Kargil and Leh, maintained by the Beacon Force of Border Road Organization especially during winter. |
| Burzail pass | Srinagar- Kishan Ganga Valley, Jammu and Kashmir | Joins Astore Valley of Kashmir with Deosai Plains of Ladakh. |
| Pensi La | Kashmir valley-Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir | Connects Kashmir valley with Kargil, situated in the Greater Himalayas. |
| Pir-Panjal Pass | Jammu to Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir | Traditional pass providing roadway access to Kashmir valley from Jammu. |
| Shencottah Gap | Madurai-Kottayam, Southern India | Located in the Western Ghats, joining Madurai city in Tamil Nadu with Kottayam district in Kerala. |
| Bhor Ghat | Palasdari to Khandala, Maharashtra | Mountain passage between Palasdari and Khandala for railways and roadways, part of the ancient route developed by Satavahana connecting ports on the Konkan coast to Deccan plateau. |
| Thal Ghat | Kasara, Maharashtra | Ghat section on the Mumbai–Nashik route, one of the four major routes leading into Mumbai, known for its steep gradient. |
| Palakkad Gap | Tamil Nadu-Kerala | Located between Nilgiri Hills and Anaimalai Hills, connecting Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu with Palakkad in Kerala, an important route for human migration across India’s southern tip throughout history. |
Important Mountain Passes In India Facts
- Dungri La Pass, also known as Mana Pass, stands as the highest altitude mountain pass and have the distinction of being the highest motorable road, with an elevation reaching 18,399 ft.
- The construction of the Jawahar Tunnel took place beneath the Banihal Pass.
- Shipki La, nestled in the Himalayas, serves as a crucial passageway connecting India and China.
- Zoji La Pass facilitates the connection between Ladakh and the Kashmir Valley.
| Other Related Links | |
| Tiger Reserves in India | National Parks in India |
| Biosphere Reserves in India | Elephant Reserves in India |
Intelligence Agencies in India FAQs
How many mountain passes are there in India?
There are total of 68 mountain passes in India.
What is the highest mountain pass in India?
The highest mountain pass in India is Khardung La Pass.
Which mountain pass connects Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet?
The Yonggyap pass connects Arunachal Pradesh with the Tibet.
Where is the mountain pass Gyong La located?
Gyong La mountain pass is located in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
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