Important Mountains Passes of India

“Pass” generally refers to a path, or part of a body of water, that allows passage through an otherwise shallow waterway, and the mountain pass is a navigable route through a mountain range or over a ridge. Passes have played a key role in trade and war. Just above the source of a river, generally, Mountain Passes are found constituting a drainage divide, in some cases passes make the easiest and shortest routes for people to travel across steep mountain ranges. As passes are the only flat land in a mountainous area, it is a suitable place to build settlements due to this sometimes passes connect different cultures that are separated by the mountains between them.

The most important passes of India (state-wise):

1. Jammu and Kashmir:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Mintaka Pass	4709 meters	This is a mountain pass in the Karakorum Mountains. It connects Kashmir and Xinjiang of China. In ancient times, to enter Northern India from the Tarim Basin, Mintaka Pass, and Kilik Pass were the shortest and quickest ways which were usually open whole the year.
Parpik Pass	5467 meters	This pass is located on the eastern side of the Mintaka pass of the Gilgit-Baltistan region. It connects Kashmir of India and China. Parpik Pass is located towards the north of Parpik Glacier.
Khunjerab Pass	4693 meters	This pass is located in the Karakoram Mountains. This pass connects J&K of India and China. This is one of the highest international border passes in the world.
Aghil Pass	4805 meters	located in the Karakoram Range of Jammu & Kashmir. The pass connects the Ladakh region of India from China. This pass is only accessible between June to October.
Chang La	5360 meters	Located in the Himalayan Range of J&K. This is the pass, which connects the Ladakh region of India to Tibet. Due to snow on the road almost throughout the year, the road which passes through Chang La becomes very dangerous for its slippery nature.
Banihal Pass	2832 meters	Located in the Pir Panjal Range. This is the pass, which links the union territory of J&K with the outer Himalayas and the plains to the south of J&K. Before 1956, these passes connect the road from Jammu to Srinagar. The Zaban Glacier is a famous hill station located near this pass.
Khardung La	5359 meters	Located in the Karakoram Range in the Ladakh region. This pass is located near the famous Leh town. This pass is also famous as the highest motor-able road in the world passing through it.
Karakoram Pass	5540 meters	Located in the Karakoram Range. With the help of the Karakoram Highway, this pass connects India and China. In ancient times this route was part of the famous Silk Route. It is one of the highest trade routes in the world.
Zoji La	3528 meters	Located in the Himalayan Range in J&K. The road NH-1 passes through this mountain pass. Each year, this pass remains closed between December to May.

2. Himachal Pradesh:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Bara Lacha La	4890 meters	This pass is located in the Himalayan Range of H.P. It connects Manali to Leh in Jammu & Kashmir. In winter, due to the high altitude road of this pass cannot be used for transport.
Rohtang Pass	3979 meters	This pass is located in the Himalayan Range of H.P. this mountain pass is only open from May to November due to snowfall. During the winter season, Snowfall occurs here in the form of unpredictable blizzards and snowstorms.
Shipki La	3930 meters	This pass is located in the Himalayan Range of H.P. This pass connects erstwhile Tibet to India’s border. It is inaccessible in the winter months
Indrahar Pass	4342 meters	located in the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas. The pass connects the border between Kangra and Chamba districts of H.P. Between April and October, it attracts tourists during the trekking season.
Chanshal Pass	3,755 meters	Located on the top of the highest peak of Shimla, the Chanshal Peak. This is the pass, which links between Dodra Kwar and Chirgaon of Shimla. the pass remains open from May to October because for the rest of the year it is covered with snow.

3. Uttarakhand:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Lipu Lekh	5334 meters	This pass is located in the Himalayan range of Indian state Uttarakhand. This mountain pass is generally used by pilgrims to the pilgrimage site Kailash-Mansarovar.
Kalindi pass	5950 meters	This is also known as Kalindi Khal. It is located in the Himalayan range of the Indian state Uttarakhand. This pass connects the Gangotri Glacier and the Gastoli pass.
Sin La Pass	5495 meters	It is a very high Himalayan mountain pass. Located in the eastern Kumaon of Uttarakhand. This pass connects Darma Valley to Kuthi Yankti valley. In the past, this pass was used for trade between Bhotiyas and Tibet.
Mana Pass	5632 meters	Since, ancient periods, it is the primary trade route between India (Uttarakhand) and Tibet. It is one of the famous highest vehicle-accessible passes. It is the source of the Saraswati River.
Nama Pass	5200 meters	located in the eastern Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. This pass links between Kuthi Valley and Darma Valley of Uttarakhand.

4. Sikkim:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Nathu La	4310 meters	This pass is located in the Himalayan Range of Indian state Sikkim. In ancient times this route was part of the famous Silk Route. This pass connects the Indian state Sikkim with China.
Jelep La	4267 meters	located in the Himalayan Range in the state of Sikkim. Also the part of the ancient Silk Route that led to Lhasa, Tibet
Goecha La	4940 meters	It is part of the Himalayan range in the state of Sikkim. It is around 60 km far from the border of West Bengal and Sikkim. It is the gateway to Kanchenjunga mountain.

5. Arunachal Pradesh:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Bomdi  La	2217 meters	Located in the Himalayan Range of Arunachal Pradesh. Via this pass people are connected with Arunachal Pradesh and Lhasa, Tibet. Between Tawang and Tibet, this pass serves as a trading point.
Sela Pass	4170 meters	It is a high-altitude mountain pass located in the Himalayan Range of Arunachal Pradesh. The road NH-13 passes through this mountain pass and connecting between Tawang with the rest of India. While this pass gets heavy snowfall in winters, it is usually open the rest of the year.

6. Rajasthan:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Goram Ghat	900 meters	This pass is located in the Aravalli Range which is situated in the Rajasthan state. It connects Mewar and Marwar of Rajasthan. The surrounding area is densely forested with Dhok forest and is rich in biodiversity.
Haldighati Pass	396 meters	This pass is located in the Aravalli Range which is situated in the Rajasthan state. This is the historic location where, in 1576, ‘Battle of Haldighati’ was fought between the Mughals under Emperor Akbar and the Mewar king Maharana Pratap.

7. Madhya Pradesh:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Asirgarh Pass	260           meters	This pass is located in the Satpura Range of Madhya Pradesh state. It is known as the ‘Key to the Deccan’ for being a famous route between northern India and the Deccan. This Pass connects the Narmada and Tapti Valleys.

8. Tamil Nadu -Kerala:

Pass Name	Altitude	Important Points
Palakkad Gap	140           meters	Tamil Nadu and Kerala are connected via this pass which is located in the Western Ghats mountains. This pass is located between two famous hills ie., Anaimalai Hills and Nilgiri Hills. It connects Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu with Palakkad of Kerala.