Explanation
The word ‘Himalaya’ is a combination of two Sanskrit words — hima, meaning ‘snow’, and ālaya, meaning ‘abode’ or ‘dwelling’ — thus, ‘abode of snow’. The Himalayas seem to touch the sky. In fact, many of its peaks are over 8000 metres in height and are together called the ‘Eight Thousanders’.
The Western Ghats have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are home to many rivers and have a rich biodiversity. The northern portion of the Western Ghats are also known as the Sahyadri Hills.
Ladakh is a cold desert where winter temperatures drop below –30°C. There is very little rainfall, and the landscape is rugged, with rocky terrain, deep valleys, and lakes such as Pangong Tso. Moonland, Ladakh The terrain here resembles that of the moon; hence, it is called ‘moonland’.
The Arabian Sea is a northwestern extension of the Indian Ocean, bordered by India to the east and the Arabian Peninsula to the west. Indian states bordering the Arabian Sea include: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Lakshadweep UT.
The Thar is a vast arid region. Most of it lies within India, spanning the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Haryana. The desert acts as a natural barrier due to the harsh conditions that deter human and animal movement — including very high daytime temperatures and cold nights, as well as a lack of access to water.
India has several plateaus; the most important one is the triangular peninsular area in the middle and south of the country. Since this region is a peninsula, surrounded by water on all three sides by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean, it is called a peninsular plateau.
The Brahmaputra (meaning the Son of Brahma) originates from the Chemayungdung glacier in southwestern Tibet. The river flows in 3 different countries with distinct names such as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, Dihang or Brahmaputra in India and Jamuna in Bangladesh.
As we move southwards from the Himalayas, we reach the vast and fertile Gangetic Plains. These plains have been an important part of the history and civilisation of India. These plains are nourished by mighty rivers originating from the Himalayas, providing a vital lifeline: water. The Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra river systems, along with their extensive network of tributaries, enrich the soil with minerals, making the region highly fertile and ideal for agriculture.
The river begins its journey at the peaceful Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh. It flows steadily through valleys and fields, touching the lives of many people along the way, until it finally joins the Arabian Sea in Gujarat.
This archipelago comprises more than 500 large and small volcanic islands. The Andaman & Nicobar are like the outposts of India, keeping an eye on the ocean. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Andaman Islands are also significant from a historical point of view — many of our freedom fighters were jailed there under the most severe conditions in a prison complex called ‘Cellular Jail’.
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