Western Ghats - a unique gem of Hindustan

Western Ghats extend along the coast of the Hindustan peninsula from north to south. It is customary to call them a mountain range, but in reality these are not exactly ordinary mountains. The folds of the terrain were formed in ancient times, when the ancient supercontinent of Godnan disintegrated. The ghats are the edge of a huge Dean plateau forming the entire peninsula. From the Indian Ocean the ridge is separated by a small plain strip.

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The name very accurately characterizes the external features of the mountains. In the translation from ancient Sanskrit the word "gaty" means steps. Mountains, however, they are similar. The Western and Eastern Ghats differ from each other. The western edge is precipitous, and the eastern edge goes more smoothly into the plain. The northern part of the mountains is represented by monolithic ridges formed at the influx of one plate to another over 150 million years ago. The southern Ghats, called the Malabar coast, are more like single sloping hills.

One of the most popular places among tourists, famous for Western Ghats, is Goa. This small Indian state is dotted with riverbeds flowing down from the mountains and carrying their waters to the Arabian Gulf. The traveler will easily pick up a suitable excursion to the mountains, which will correspond to his wishes. By the way, rest and accommodation on Goa is considered one of the most economical options. The tourist infrastructure of the region is in the stage of active development, the owners of local businesses have much to grow. But the beautiful nature more than compensates for the shortcomings of the service.

No less popular place for which many are eager to visit the Western Ghats is Mumbai. This ancient city is the second in the world (after the Philippine capital) in densely populated. Here you will find luxury hotels and restaurants, theaters and museums, picturesque antiquities and monuments of modern art.

Unique nature

Biologists call Western Ghats a unique natural reserve. Here there are several species of animals that are not found anywhere else in the world: lion-tailed monkey, hooded guulman, prickly dormouse, goat-tar, Indian leopard and others. Along with them live less rare animals, for example, Indian elephant and baboon. Many tourists go here to admire the butterfly population. In recent years, their number has declined, and was once one of the largest in the world. The total number of rare species of animals inhabiting the Ghats has exceeded 3 hundreds.

The flora is also diverse. The visiting card of India is tea. The country takes the second place in the world (after China) for its harvesting. Most of the crop is obtained on the terraces of the Gat mountains. Organized tea plantations of the East India Company at the end of the century before last. When the British colonialists left Hindustan, the plantations were preserved and since then they have been carefully cultivated.

Local people have been engaged in agriculture since time immemorial. Many cultures brought here by Europeans are cultivated in colonial times.

Man-made and natural attractions

Going to Western Ghats, think over the route. Fans of wildlife will be interested in visiting unique nature reserves: Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nilgiri. A magnificent rosary in Udagamandalam is worthy of attention. The national parks of Eravikulam, Karimpuzha, Mukurthi and Silent Valley beckon with coolness on a hot day and will help to learn more about the unique nature of the Gat mountains.

There is something to see and lovers of antiquities. Particularly interesting in this regard is the city of Palakkad. Going to it, visit the ancient fort, the Jain temple, the Brahmin monastery.

Interesting Facts

• Mount Ana Moody is the highest point of India south of the Himalayas. Its name translates from Sanskrit as "elephant head". In form it resembles the forehead of an elephant.
• Yakshagan is a traditional art in these parts. This is a dance with a storyline that is performed only by men.
• In the Botanical Garden, you can admire the fossilized tree, whose age is 20 million years.
• On the terraces of Western Ghat, unique tea trees grow out of bushes.
• And the most important thing is the following. Western Ghats - a unique place in which there is no concept of "holiday season". Nature is affectionate here all year round, and you can go on a trip at any time.