The Western Ghats is one of the most important topics in Indian Geography for exams like SSC, Banking, RRB NTPC, UPSC, and many State-level exams. These hills are full of green forests, rare animals, and heavy rain. They help bring rain, grow crops, and keep the air clean.
Knowing key facts about the Western Ghats can help you score better in your exams. In this post, you will get easy, exam-focused notes to learn quickly. We cover important points like location, rivers, wildlife, climate, and why the Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All the notes are made simple for fast revision.
So, get ready to master the Western Ghats with this quick and clear guide. Whether you’re just starting or doing a last-minute revision, this post is perfect for your Geography preparation. Let’s begin your success journey now!
The Western Ghats – Nature’s Mountain Wall
Where Are the Western Ghats?
- The Western Ghats are a long chain of mountains along the western coast of India.
- They are also called the Sahyadri Hills.
- These mountains stretch for about 1,600 km, from the Tapti River in Gujarat to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
- The range passes through six states:
👉 Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
How Were They Formed?
- The Western Ghats were formed millions of years ago when a huge landmass called Gondwana broke apart.
- These mountains appeared when India split from Africa during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Height and Parts
- The mountains have three parts:
- Northern Section: 900–1,500 meters high.
- Middle Section (south of Goa): Less than 900 meters.
- Southern Section: Higher peaks again.
- The highest peak is Anamudi in Kerala – 2,695 meters high.
- On average, the mountains are about 1,200 meters tall.
Rivers and Rain
- The Western Ghats are very important for rivers in India.
- They help form many rivers that give water to a large part of the country.
- Most rivers flow eastward, but the mountains cause heavy rain on the west side.
- The eastern side is much drier. This dry area is called the rain shadow region.
How Do They Affect the Weather?
- During the monsoon, winds from the Arabian Sea hit the mountains.
- The mountains block the clouds, causing heavy rainfall on the western slopes.
- The eastern side, behind the mountains, gets less rain.
A Special Home for Plants and Animals
- The Western Ghats are a biodiversity hotspot.
- This means they have many different types of plants and animals, many found nowhere else in the world.
- Over 325 species found here are threatened or in danger of disappearing.
A World Heritage Site
- Because of their natural beauty and rich wildlife, the Western Ghats were named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
The Western Ghats in a Nutshell
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Other Name | Sahyadri Hills |
| Total Length | 1,600 km |
| States Covered | 6 States (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu) |
| Highest Peak | Anamudi (2,695 m) |
| Importance | Rivers, Climate, Biodiversity |
| UNESCO Status | World Heritage Site (2012) |
Western Ghats of India Map
Why Are They Called the Western Ghats? – Meaning and Origin
The name “Western Ghats” comes from two parts:
- “Ghat” – a word used in India for:
- Stepped hills (like mountain ranges), or
- Steps near rivers or lakes.
- “Western” – because these mountains are on the western side of India.
The word “Ghat” has roots in Dravidian languages like:
- Tamil: kattu – means mountain side or ridge
- Kannada: katte, gatta, gattu – mean dam, mountain, or shore
- Telugu: katta, gatte – mean dam or embankment
The ancient name of this mountain range is “Sahyadri”, a Sanskrit word.
It means “kind or gentle mountain.”
How Were the Western Ghats Formed?
The Western Ghats were formed millions of years ago. They are the mountainous edge of the Deccan Plateau, which is a large, high flat land in India.
Long ago, there was a super-continent called Gondwana. When it broke apart, India moved away from Africa. This happened during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods (a very long time ago in Earth’s history).
As India moved, volcanoes erupted, and basalt rocks formed the Deccan Plateau. The western side rose up, creating the Western Ghats.
These mountains were also shaped by faults in the Earth’s crust. These faults caused valleys and river gorges (deep narrow areas between hills).
Because the land is higher in the west, most rivers flow from west to east, creating:
- Steep western slopes facing the Arabian Sea
- Gentler eastern slopes leading to the Bay of Bengal
Location and Size of the Western Ghats
- The Western Ghats start from the Satpura Range, just south of the Tapti River in the north.
- They stretch all the way to the southern tip of India, ending at Marunthuvazh Malai in Swamithoppe, located in the Kanyakumari district.
- The total length of the range is about 1,600 km (or 990 miles).
- The Western Ghats cover an area of around 160,000 square kilometers (or 62,000 square miles).
- These mountains pass through six Indian states:
- Gujarat
- Maharashtra
- Goa
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
Height and Shape of the Western Ghats
- The Western Ghats form a long chain of mountains that runs parallel to the western coast of India, along the Arabian Sea.
- The average height of these mountains is about 1,200 meters (or 3,900 feet).
- The narrow strip of land between the mountains and the sea is called the Western Coastal Plains.
Important Mountain Passes in the Western Ghats
- Thal Ghat (Kasara Ghat)
Links Mumbai with Nashik, playing a crucial role in northern Maharashtra’s connectivity.
- Bhor Ghat
A vital pass that connects Mumbai to Pune through Khopoli, serving as a key route for both rail and road transport.
- Palakkad Gap (Pal Ghat)
A significant natural pass between the Nilgiri Hills and Anaimalai Hills, it connects Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu with Palakkad in Kerala, facilitating travel and trade between the two states.
- Amba Ghat
This scenic pass links the Ratnagiri region on the Konkan coast with Kolhapur in the interior of Maharashtra.
- Naneghat
An ancient trade route pass connecting Junnar to the Pune district, historically used since the Satavahana period.
- Amboli Ghat
Provides a route from Sawantwadi in Maharashtra to Belgaum in Karnataka, crossing through lush green forested areas.
Three Main Parts of the Range
The Western Ghats are divided into three sections based on height:
- Northern Section – between 900 and 1,500 meters high.
- Middle Section – south of Goa, less than 900 meters in height.
- Southern Section – mountains get taller again in this part.
Highest Peaks and Special Features
- The Western Ghats join with the Eastern Ghats at a place called the Nilgiris.
- Many mountain peaks in this range rise above 2,000 meters (6,600 feet).
- The tallest peak in the Western Ghats is Anamudi in Kerala, which is 2,695 meters (or 8,842 feet) high.
Rivers and Waterfalls of the Western Ghats
- The Western Ghats are a very important watershed (a place where rivers begin) in India.
- They help form many rivers that flow all year round – these are called perennial rivers.
- These rivers cover about 40% of India’s land area.
Major Rivers from the Western Ghats
- Some of the main rivers that start in the Western Ghats are:
- Godavari River
- Krishna River
- Kaveri (Cauvery) River
Direction of River Flow
- Most rivers flow eastwards towards the Bay of Bengal.
- This is because the land is higher in the west and slopes down to the east.
- Some smaller rivers and streams also flow west into the Arabian Sea, especially during the monsoon.
How the Western Ghats Affect Climate and Rainfall
- The Western Ghats help control the weather in India, especially during summer and monsoon.
- In April and May, the land gets very hot. This heat pulls in moist air from the Arabian Sea.
- When this air reaches the Western Ghats, it is blocked by the mountains.
- The air rises, cools down, and causes heavy rain on the western side of the mountains.
→ This is called orographic rainfall.
→ It marks the start of the monsoon season in June.
- After crossing the mountains, the air becomes dry, creating a rain shadow area on the eastern side, where there’s less rain.
- Some other winds come from the Bay of Bengal, pass over the Eastern Ghats, and bring rain to northern India.
Temperature and Climate in the Western Ghats
- The region has a warm and humid tropical climate all year because it is close to the equator and the Arabian Sea.
- Average temperatures:
- 20°C (68°F) in the south
- 24°C (75°F) in the north
- Cooler climates and even near-zero temperatures can happen in high mountains, especially in winter.
Rainfall Patterns
- Rainfall varies across the region:
- Some places get 100 cm to 900 cm of rain every year.
- Average rainfall is about 250 cm (98 inches).
- In northern Maharashtra, there’s heavy rain, but only for a short time.
- In areas closer to the equator, it rains for many months, but the total yearly rainfall may be less.
Conclusion
Conclusion: Why the Western Ghats Matter
The Western Ghats are not just big mountains—they are full of life, beauty, and secrets! From tall trees and rare animals to waterfalls and rivers, this region is one of the most important places in India. It gives us clean air, fresh water, and helps control the weather.
But today, these hills need our help. Too many trees are being cut, and animals are losing their homes. That’s why it’s super important to protect the Western Ghats, so future generations can enjoy them too.
📚 Remember: If you’re studying for an exam, knowing about the Western Ghats will not only help you score better—it will also help you understand how nature works and why we must take care of it.
Let’s be the guardians of the Ghats! 🌿🐅💧
