Prominent Valleys of Himachal Pradesh | HPPSC HPAS Preparation - HPPSC HPAS (Himachal Pardesh) PDF Download

Introduction

A valley is a low-lying area situated between hills or mountains, often featuring a river flowing through it. In geological terms, a valley or dale refers to an elongated depression that is much longer than it is wide. The shapes of valleys are commonly described as U-shaped or V-shaped, based on their geographical appearance.

Prominent Valleys of Himachal Pradesh

Chamba Valley or Ravi Valley (District Chamba)

• Known as the Valley of Honey and Milk, this region is rich in medicinal herbs and boasts a variety of flowers.
• Key settlements in this valley include Chamba, Dalhousie, Khajjiar, and Bharmaur.
• The inhabitants of this valley are known as Chambial.

Pangi Valley (District Chamba)

• Located adjacent to the Chamba Valley, this picturesque area stretches along the Chenab River, cutting through the Pir Panjal range and other offshoots of the Himalayas.
• It is one of the most remote and stunning regions in the Western Himalayas.

Monkey Valley (District Chamba)

• Situated in the Bharmaur area of Chamba, Monkey Valley (Bandar Ghati) was historically crossed by pilgrims en route to Manimahesh Kailash.
• Due to its challenging terrain, travelers had to crawl through parts of it, leading to its nickname.

Chandra Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Also referred to as Rangoli, this valley is formed by the Chandra River.
• Khoksar is the first village in the valley.

Bhaga Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Known locally as Gara or Punam, the Bhaga Valley is carved by the Bhaga River.

Chandra-Bhaga Valley or Pattan Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• This valley, formed by the confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers, is often called the Orchards and Granary of Lahaul-Spiti.

Lahaul Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Positioned to the north of the Pir Panjal and Himalayan ranges, this valley is formed by the Chandra and Bhaga rivers up to Tandi, after which the Chenab River flows from Tandi to Udaipur.

Spiti Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Nestled between the Himalayan and Zaskar ranges, this valley is sculpted by the Spiti River.
• Kaza is the main town in the valley. Notably, Rudyard Kipling described Spiti as “a world within a world” in his novel Kim.

Lingti Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Located in eastern Spiti, Lingti Valley is the longest (60 km) and largest side valley of Spiti.
• It is renowned for its geological significance, with fossils and shale dating back 250 million years.

Mulang Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Positioned east of the Baralacha Pass, this valley lies between the drainage basins of the Chandra and Spiti rivers.

Pin Valley (District Lahaul-Spiti)

• Formed by the Pin River, this valley features jagged rocks and fossil-rich gravel, making it a unique geological site.
• The highest point is Pin Parvati Jot (5,490 meters), while the lowest is Mud Pharka (3,355 meters).

Baspa or Sangla Valley (District Kinnaur)

• Often called the most romantic valley in Himachal Pradesh, Baspa Valley is formed by the Baspa River.
• Chitkul (3,437 meters) is the highest village in this valley.
• The valley’s upper parts are home to deodar, blue pine, fir, and silver birch trees.
• Notable villages include Kamru and Sangla, both situated on the right bank of the Baspa River.
• Other Valleys in Kinnaur District: Hangrang Valley, Rupa Valley, Mulgan or Mulgaon Valley.

Balh Valley or Sundernagar Valley (District Mandi)

• This broad, open valley stretches between an offshoot of the Shimla Ridge in the north and the Shivalik Hills in the south.
• The valley extends from Gutkar in the north to Sundernagar in the south and from Baggi in the east to Galma in the west.
• The Suketi Khad stream separates the valley into two parts.
• The Indo-German Agriculture Project was initiated here in 1962 to promote mixed farming, horticulture, and soil conservation.
• Other Valleys in Mandi District: Chauntra Valley (Jogindernagar), Chuhar Valley, and Sandhol Valley.

Kullu Valley (District Kullu)

• Known as the Valley of the Gods, Kullu Valley is formed by the Beas River and is nestled between the Pir Panjal, Lower Himalaya, and Great Himalayan ranges.
• It spans 75 km in length and 2-4 km in width, ending near Rohtang Pass.
• Key attractions include Naggar Castle, Nehru Kund, Roerich Art Gallery, Hidimba Temple, and Manu Temple.
• Other Valleys in Kullu District: Seraj Valley and Parvati Valley.

Pabbar Valley or Rohru Valley (District Shimla)

• This valley is drained by the Pabbar River, which originates from Chandra Nahan Lake.
• The valley is known for trout fishing, introduced in the Pabbar River by Glover, a British Chief Conservator of Forests, in 1938-39.

Kiardadun or Paonta Valley (District Sirmaur)

• Located between the Markanda and Dharthi ranges, this valley is watered by the Giri and Bata rivers.
• Historically a dense forest, the valley was settled during the reign of Raja Shamsher Prakash.

Kunihar Valley (District Solan)

• Beginning from Kuni Khad and extending to Tukardia, this valley was part of the Kunihar State before Himachal Pradesh’s formation.
• Other Valleys in Solan District: Dun Valley and Saproon Valley, the latter being famous for its cereals and seasonal vegetables.

Kangra Valley (District Kangra)

• This dun-type valley is located between the Dhauladhar Range in the north and the Shivalik Range in the south.
• Extending from Mandi to Shahpur, the valley was home to Paleolithic man, as evidenced by the discovery of ancient tools.
• Bara Banghal Valley (District Kangra): Nestled between the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges, this valley is where the Ravi River originates.

Dami Valley (District Bilaspur)

• Situated between the Bandla and Bahadurpur ranges at an elevation of 2,500 feet.

Swan Valley (District Una)

• Also known as the Jaswan Dun Valley, it is formed by the Swan River (also called the River of Sorrow), with a length ranging from seven to fourteen kilometers.