Major Mountain Passes in India: Deccan Plateau, Khyber Pass, Bolan Pass - Locations, Significance, and Historical Importance

Major Mountain Passes in India

Importance of Mountain Passes

Mountain Passes in Pakistan

Major Mountain Passes in India

Mountain Passes in northern India
Pass Location Details
1. Zoji La (Pass) Zaskar Range, Jammu & Kashmir
  • Situated on the road route from Srinagar to Leh.
  • Formed by the Indus River.
2. Banihal Pass Pir Panjal Range, Jammu & Kashmir
  • Elevation: 2,832 m.
  • Connects the Kashmir Valley to the Outer Himalayas and the southern plains.
  • In Kashmiri, "Banihāl" means blizzard.
3. Shipki La (Pass) India-China Border
  • Serves as a border post with significant buildings on both sides.
  • The Sutlej River enters India near this pass.
4. Bara-Lacha Pass Zanskar Range, connecting Himachal Pradesh and Leh
  • On the Leh-Manali Highway, linking Lahaul district (Himachal Pradesh) to Leh district (Ladakh).
5. Rohtang Pass Pir Panjal Range, Himachal Pradesh
  • 51 km from Manali.
  • Connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul and Spiti Valleys.
Mountain Passes in Himachal Pradesh
6. Mana Pass India-China Border
  • One of the highest vehicle-accessible passes globally.
  • Road built by the Indian military between 2005-2010.
  • Located on the India-China border.
7. Niti Pass Uttarakhand
  • Elevation: 5800 meters.
  • Connects India with Tibet.
8. Nathu La (Pass) East Sikkim, Himalayas
  • Connects Sikkim (India) with Tibet Autonomous Region (China).
  • "Nathu" means "listening ears," and "La" means pass in Tibetan.
9. Jalep La (Pass) East Sikkim, India-China Border
  • Elevation: 4,267 meters (13,999 feet).
  • On the route connecting Lhasa (Tibet) to India.

Mountain Passes in Leh & Ladakh

Mountain Passes in Leh & Laddakh
Pass Location Details
Khardung La Ladakh
  • Highest motorable pass in India.
  • Connects Leh and Siachen glaciers.
  • Closed in winter.
Thang La / Taglang La Ladakh
  • Second-highest motorable mountain pass in India.
Aghil Pass Karakoram, Ladakh
  • Connects Ladakh with Xinjiang, China.
  • Closed from November to May.
Chang-La Ladakh
  • Connects Ladakh with Tibet.
Lanak La Ladakh
  • Connects Ladakh and Lhasa.
Imis La Ladakh
  • Connects Ladakh and Tibet, difficult terrain.
Bara-Lacha La Jammu and Kashmir
  • Connects Manali and Leh, situated on National Highway.

Mountain Passes in Uttarakhand

Mountain Passes in Uttarakhand
Pass Location Details
Traill’s Pass Uttarakhand
  • Connects Pindari Valley to Milam Valley, steep and rugged.
Lipu Lekh Uttarakhand
  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet, important for trade and pilgrimage.
Mana Pass Uttarakhand
  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet, snow-covered in winter.
Mangsha Dhura Pass Uttarakhand
  • Connects Uttarakhand with Tibet, prone to landslides.
Muling La Uttarakhand
  • Connects Tibet, seasonal snow coverage.
Niti Pass Uttarakhand
  • Connects Tibet, snow-covered in winter.

Mountain Passes in Northeastern States

Mountain Passes in North Eastern States
Pass Location Details
Nathu La Sikkim
  • Important trading border post, part of the ancient Silk Route.
Jelep La Sikkim
  • Connects Sikkim with Lhasa, Tibet.
Bomdi-La Arunachal Pradesh
  • Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Lhasa, located east of Bhutan.
Yonggyap Pass Arunachal Pradesh
  • Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Tibet.
Dihang Pass Arunachal Pradesh
  • Connects Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar (Mandalay).
Diphu Pass Arunachal Pradesh
  • Strategic approach to eastern Arunachal Pradesh, part of the border dispute.

Mountain Passes in Kashmir

Mountain Passes in Jammu & Kashmir
Pass Location Details
Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel) Jammu and Kashmir
  • Connects Banihal with Qazigund, situated in the Pir-Panjal Range.
Zoji La Jammu and Kashmir
  • Connects Srinagar with Kargil and Leh, maintained by the Border Road Organization.
Burzail Pass Jammu and Kashmir
  • Connects Astore Valley with Deosai Plains.
Pensi La Jammu and Kashmir
  • Connects Kashmir valley with Kargil, situated in the Greater Himalayas.

Mountain Passes in Deccan Plateau (Central & Southern India)

Mountain Passes in Southern States
Pass Location Details
Shencottah Gap Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu to Kerala
  • Joins Madurai with Kottayam; major road and rail passage.
Bhor Ghat Maharashtra
  • Connects Palasdari and Khandala; important for railway and road routes.
Thal Ghat Maharashtra
  • Connects Kasara; steepest railway line in India.
Palakkad Gap Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu to Kerala
  • Connects Coimbatore with Palakkad; historical migration route.
Asirgarh Pass Madhya Pradesh
  • Connects Narmada and Tapti Valleys; known as ‘Key to the Deccan’.
Goram Ghat Rajasthan
  • Connects Mewar and Marwar; passes through Aravali Hills.
Haldighati Pass Rajasthan
  • Site of the Battle of Haldighati; named for turmeric-colored soil.
Jabalpur Gap Madhya Pradesh
  • Important gap in the region.
Khandwa Gap Madhya Pradesh
  • Connects with surrounding geographic features.
Burhanpur Gap Madhya Pradesh
  • Located north of the Tapti river; important natural boundary.
Amba Ghat Maharashtra
  • Scenic with pleasant climate; popular for paragliding.
Chorla Ghat Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
  • Rich biodiversity; located at the intersection of three states.
Malshej Ghat Maharashtra
  • Known for wildlife and dense forests; significant for biodiversity.
Naneghat Pass Maharashtra
  • Ancient trading route; used historically for toll collection.
Tamhini Ghat Maharashtra
  • Connects Mulshi and Tamhini; known for green ghats and waterfalls.
Amboli Ghat Maharashtra
  • Connects Sawantwadi to Belgaum; known for lush forests and waterfalls.
Kumbharli Ghat Maharashtra
  • Connects Ratnagiri and Satara districts; significant in regional transportation.
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