Essential Mountain Passes in Himachal Pradesh for Government Exam Aspirants
Himachal Pradesh, known for its stunning landscapes and strategic mountain passes, is crucial for aspirants preparing for government exams.
1. Baralacha Pass
- Location: Situated on the Manali-Leh road, about 75 km from Keylong towards Leh.
- Also Known As: “Pass with cross roads on summit.”
- Features:
- Roads from Zanskar, Ladakh, Spiti, and Lahaul meet at the top of this pass.
2. Kunzum Pass
- Location: Between Spiti and Lahaul.
- Features:
- The Spiti area is separated by the Great Kunzum Range, from where the Spiti River originates.
- Situated on the Gramphoo-Kaza-Sumdo road.
- Local people have built a Durga temple on this pass.
3. Tempo La
- Location: In the district of Lahaul-Spiti.
- Features:
- Requires walking along Yoche Nallah to the base of this pass.
- Khoksar village is nearby.
- From Khoksar, one can return to Keylong or travel to Spiti via Kunzum Pass or to Manali via Rohtang Pass.
4. Bhabha Pass
- Location: In Kinnaur.
- Route: From Manali, travel to Kaza over Rohtang Pass and Kunzum Pass, then to Attargo, Spiti, and finally to Pulti.
5. Hamta Pass
- Location: Between Pir Panjal, Kullu, and Spiti.
- Features:
- Beyond Manali, through Indrasan, Deo Tibba, and Inder Killa.
- On descending, one encounters the historic cave “Arjun Gufa” at Bhanara.
6. Darati Pass
- Location: Between Chamba and Pangi.
- Route: From Chamba, travel to Alyas via Bhango.
- Features:
- Descend over grassy and moraine slopes to Tandi and further to Udaipur (Trilokinath Temple).
7. Manirang Pass
- Location: In Kinnaur.
- Route: Cross Manessar Pass above the confluence of Ropa and Chuktayanjan rivulet, then a 12 km walk from Ropa to Panktil, beyond Kalpa.
8. Rohtang Pass
- Meaning: Ro-Thang means “plains of corpses.”
- Features:
- Main gateway between Lahaul-Spiti and the southern area of Kullu-Manali.
- Famous pass across the Pir Panjal Range on the National Highway to Leh.
- Known for sudden blizzards and snow for 7-8 months a year.
- The first Englishman to reach Rohtang Pass was Moorcraft in 1820, who called it “Ritanka Jot.”
9. Prangla Pass
- Features: Highest post in Himachal Pradesh.
10. Sach Pass
- Features:
- Most convenient route for trekking into the famous Pangi Valley in Chamba.
- Killar, with a helipad facility, is 137 km from Chamba and can be accessed through this pass.
11. Shingo La Pass
- Location: Approached from Alyas, beyond Dharamshala.
This comprehensive guide covers the key features and routes of the prominent mountain passes in Himachal Pradesh, essential for government exam preparation. Understanding these passes will provide a strong foundation in regional geography and strategic studies.
Here are some mcq on the above topic
Here are 25 MCQs based on the essential mountain passes in Himachal Pradesh:
1. Which pass is known as the “Pass with cross roads on summit”?
- A) Rohtang Pass
- B) Baralacha Pass
- C) Kunzum Pass
- D) Sach Pass
Answer: B) Baralacha Pass
2. Kunzum Pass is located between which two regions?
- A) Kullu and Manali
- B) Spiti and Lahaul
- C) Kinnaur and Lahaul
- D) Chamba and Pangi
Answer: B) Spiti and Lahaul
3. Which pass features a Durga temple built by local people?
- A) Kunzum Pass
- B) Rohtang Pass
- C) Hamta Pass
- D) Shingo La Pass
Answer: A) Kunzum Pass
4. Tempo La Pass is situated in which district?
- A) Kullu
- B) Chamba
- C) Lahaul-Spiti
- D) Kangra
Answer: C) Lahaul-Spiti
5. Which mountain pass requires walking along Yoche Nallah to reach the base?
- A) Tempo La
- B) Darati Pass
- C) Sach Pass
- D) Rohtang Pass
Answer: A) Tempo La
6. Which pass connects Chamba and Pangi Valley?
- A) Darati Pass
- B) Kunzum Pass
- C) Baralacha Pass
- D) Bhabha Pass
Answer: A) Darati Pass
7. Which pass connects Lahaul-Spiti with Kullu-Manali?
- A) Baralacha Pass
- B) Rohtang Pass
- C) Hamta Pass
- D) Kunzum Pass
Answer: B) Rohtang Pass
8. The term “Ro-Thang” means:
- A) Plains of corpses
- B) Path of warriors
- C) Land of snow
- D) Crossroads of mountains
Answer: A) Plains of corpses
9. Which pass is the highest post in Himachal Pradesh?
- A) Sach Pass
- B) Kunzum Pass
- C) Prangla Pass
- D) Shingo La Pass
Answer: C) Prangla Pass
10. Which pass is the most convenient route for trekking into the Pangi Valley in Chamba?
- A) Rohtang Pass
- B) Darati Pass
- C) Shingo La Pass
- D) Sach Pass
Answer: D) Sach Pass
11. Which pass separates Spiti from Lahaul and leads to the Spiti River’s origin?
- A) Kunzum Pass
- B) Hamta Pass
- C) Bhabha Pass
- D) Manirang Pass
Answer: A) Kunzum Pass
12. Which pass is located on the Manali-Leh road?
- A) Kunzum Pass
- B) Baralacha Pass
- C) Sach Pass
- D) Tempo La
Answer: B) Baralacha Pass
13. Hamta Pass is located between which areas?
- A) Kinnaur and Spiti
- B) Pir Panjal, Kullu, and Spiti
- C) Lahaul and Leh
- D) Kullu and Rohtang
Answer: B) Pir Panjal, Kullu, and Spiti
14. Which pass has the historic cave “Arjun Gufa” nearby?
- A) Sach Pass
- B) Hamta Pass
- C) Darati Pass
- D) Manirang Pass
Answer: B) Hamta Pass
15. Bhabha Pass is located in which district?
- A) Lahaul-Spiti
- B) Kinnaur
- C) Chamba
- D) Kullu
Answer: B) Kinnaur
16. The Spiti area is separated from Lahaul by which pass?
- A) Rohtang Pass
- B) Sach Pass
- C) Kunzum Pass
- D) Manirang Pass
Answer: C) Kunzum Pass
17. Which pass is known for its sudden blizzards and heavy snow for 7-8 months a year?
- A) Sach Pass
- B) Shingo La Pass
- C) Rohtang Pass
- D) Prangla Pass
Answer: C) Rohtang Pass
18. Which pass is approached from Alyas beyond Dharamshala?
- A) Shingo La Pass
- B) Kunzum Pass
- C) Darati Pass
- D) Manirang Pass
Answer: A) Shingo La Pass
19. Which pass offers access to the historic Trilokinath Temple in Udaipur?
- A) Baralacha Pass
- B) Sach Pass
- C) Darati Pass
- D) Hamta Pass
Answer: C) Darati Pass
20. Manirang Pass is located in which district?
- A) Kullu
- B) Kinnaur
- C) Chamba
- D) Kangra
Answer: B) Kinnaur
21. Which pass lies on the Gramphoo-Kaza-Sumdo road?
- A) Kunzum Pass
- B) Bhabha Pass
- C) Rohtang Pass
- D) Sach Pass
Answer: A) Kunzum Pass
22. Which pass connects Khoksar village with Keylong and Manali?
- A) Bhabha Pass
- B) Tempo La Pass
- C) Darati Pass
- D) Sach Pass
Answer: B) Tempo La Pass
23. Which pass crosses the Pir Panjal Range and connects Lahaul-Spiti to Kullu?
- A) Kunzum Pass
- B) Rohtang Pass
- C) Hamta Pass
- D) Darati Pass
Answer: B) Rohtang Pass
24. Which pass is traversed by the Spiti River?
- A) Baralacha Pass
- B) Kunzum Pass
- C) Hamta Pass
- D) Manirang Pass
Answer: B) Kunzum Pass
25. Which Englishman was the first to cross the Rohtang Pass in 1820?
- A) Alexander Burnes
- B) Moorcraft
- C) Francis Younghusband
- D) John Lawrence
Answer: B) Moorcraft
These 25 MCQs will help government exam aspirants in learning the important mountain passes of Himachal Pradesh and their geographical significance.