Lesser Himalayas: Pir Panjal & Dhauladhar Ranges

Lesser Himalayas are also called the Middle Himalayas or Himachal Range. They lie between the Greater Himalayas in the north and the Shivalik Hills in the south, stretching across Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Nepal, and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

These ranges are older than the Shivaliks but younger than the Greater Himalayas. Further, they run almost parallel to the main Himalayan axis, forming a rugged belt of valleys, steep ridges, and snow-covered peaks. The average height of the Lesser Himalayas ranges between 3,000 and 5,000 metres, with some peaks crossing 6,000 metres.

Important Ranges within the Lesser Himalayas

• Pir Panjal Range – the longest and most extensive.
• Dhauladhar Range – known for steep slopes and white peaks.
• Mussoorie Range – forms the outer edge near Dehradun.
• Mahabharat Range – runs across Nepal, forming its central highlands.
• Nag Tibba Range – near Tehri Garhwal, known as the “Serpent’s Peak Range.”
• Kumaon & Nagtibba Hills, Sirmaur Hills, and Churdhar Range are also part of this belt.

In this article, we will mainly discuss the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar Ranges. while the Mussoorie, Mahabharat, and Nag Tibba Ranges will be covered separately in upcoming linked articles.

1. Pir Panjal Range

The Pir Panjal Range is the longest and most significant of the Lesser Himalayas. It runs parallel to the Greater Himalayas, forming the south-western wall of the Kashmir Valley.

Key Features

• Extends from Kishtwar (J&K) to Nurpur (Himachal Pradesh).
• Average elevation: 4,000–4,500 metres.
• Major passes: Banihal Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Rohtang Pass, Sach Pass.
• Banihal Tunnel connects Jammu and the Kashmir Valley beneath this range.
• Highest Peaks: Indrasan (6,221 m) and Deo Tibba (6,001 m)
• Glaciers: Duhangan, Bhadal, Hamta, Beas Kund Glacier
• Lakes: Beas Kund Lake, Dashaur Lake, Sar Kund Lake, Manimahesh Lake, Tarsar Lake, and Marsar Lake.
• Gulmarg, a famous hill resort in Kashmir

Did You Know?
The Chenab River originates in this range, one of the main rivers of the Indus system.

2. Dhauladhar Range

South of the Pir Panjal lies the Dhauladhar Range, meaning “The White Peak Range.” Its shining snow slopes rise sharply above Kangra Valley, visible from Dharamshala and Palampur. Moreover, these mountains begin near Dalhousie in the northwest of Himachal Pradesh and stretch eastward up to the Beas River in Kullu district, finally fading near Badrinath in Garhwal.

Key Features

• Average elevation: 3,500 – 6,000 metres.
• Almost the entire range lies within Himachal Pradesh.
• Prominent peaks: Hanuman Tibba (5,982 m), Manimahesh Kailash (5,653 m).
• Acts as a wall dividing Kangra and Chamba valleys.
• Beas River cuts through this range.
• Popular trekking areas: Triund, Indrahar Pass, Bhagsunag trail.
• Towns: Dharamshala, Palampur, Kangra, McLeod Ganj

Rivers from the Lesser Himalayas

Lesser Himalayas are home to many spring-fed and glacier-fed rivers.

• Chenab rises near Baralacha Pass in the Pir Panjal, formed by the Chandra and Bhaga streams.
• Beas begins from Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass in the Dhauladhar Range.
• Ravi flows between the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar, shaping the Chamba Valley.
• Small streams from these ranges also join the Jhelum and Yamuna systems.

Significance

Lesser Himalayas act as a protective wall between the high snow ranges and the plains, moderating climate and blocking cold winds. Their glaciers and springs feed major rivers like the Chenab, Beas, and Ravi – the lifelines of North India. Hill towns such as Shimla, Manali, and Dharamshala thrive here, making the region a hub of tourism and culture.

In short, the Lesser Himalayas are not just mountains — they are the living middle belt of India’s geography, where nature, rivers, and people meet.