The Great Himalaya is called as the “Roof of the World”. Beside having highest mountains of the world there are many unique and unknown facts about the Himalaya that make it special. Himalaya has always been of great importance from cultural and history point of view. These majestic mountains are spread across many countries majorly in India and is sense of pride for the nation. Many ancient and historical stories are attached to these incredible mountains. Home to thousands of tribes, culture, biodiversity, forests, animals etc. The significance of the Himalaya is unmatchable. Let’s see some of the most unique facts about The Great Himalayas.
1. Highest Mountains of the World
Except K2 which is in Karakoram Range all the top 10 Highest Mountains of the world are in the Himalayan Mountain Ranges spanning across India, Nepal and Tibet (Autonomous Region). That is the reason why it is called Roof of the World. All these mountains have the height of the more than 8,000m. There are more than 100 mountains which are more than 7,000m. These majestic peaks offer unbelievable views of the Himalayas, climbing these mountains is a big challenge even for most experienced mountaineers. These high peaks attract lots of adventurers, mountaineers and trekkers around the globe.
2. Youngest Mountains
The Himalayas are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world, formed approximately 50 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian plate. This formation process is still ongoing today, as the Indian tectonic plate continues to collide with the Eurasian plate. This dynamic process has created unique geological features and continues to impact the regions surrounding the Himalayas. It serves as a remarkable example of the ever-changing nature of our planet.
3. Spiritual Importance
The Himalayas are not just a physical feature but also a deeply spiritual one, being home to numerous pilgrimage sites for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs. Mount Kailash, for example, is considered sacred in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Bon. Often Sadhus are seen meditating in Himalayas, many people believe that many Sadhus are here for hundred and thousand years.
4. Glaciers
The Himalayan range contains the third-largest deposit of ice and snow in the world, after Antarctica and the Arctic, with around 15,000 glaciers. And due to its immense glacial power, it is also known as the “third pole”. The Himalayan glaciers and the power they hold in terms of freshwater resources and hydropower are of paramount importance to the people and ecosystems of the region.
5. Water Source
Himalaya is the source of some of the major river systems in Asia, including the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, Yangtze, and Mekong. Due to this it is often referred as the “Water Tower of Asia”. The continuous melt of snow from the peaks of Himalaya ensures the steady supply of water into these rivers which are further used for drinking, irrigation, hydropower projects and many more.
6. Continuous Growing
As mentioned earlier the formation process of the Himalayas is still ongoing today, as the Indian tectonic plate continues to collide with the Eurasian plate. It is rising around 5 millimetres every year which is also increasing the height of its peak every year and is reason of many earthquake zones in the region.
These facts illustrate the Himalayas’ significance not just as a natural wonder but also as a vital part of our planet’s geological, environmental, cultural, and historical fabric. And as a responsible human it is our responsibility to protect it from climate change.
Till then Keep travelling and take care of Nature.
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