One of the eight hottest biodiversity hotspots of the world, older than the Himalayas, stretching 1,600 km along India's western coast
Click on markers to discover peaks, national parks, waterfalls, hill stations, and gaps across the mountain range
Known by many names across India's diverse linguistic landscape
From the mighty Anamudi to the rugged Kudremukh, the Western Ghats harbor some of South India's tallest peaks
The Western Ghats form the watershed of Peninsular India, giving birth to rivers flowing both east and west
The steep western escarpment creates some of India's most spectacular waterfalls
Natural passages through the mountain barrier, vital for transportation and climate patterns
One of the world's eight hottest biodiversity hotspots, home to an extraordinary concentration of endemic species
From tropical evergreen forests at the base to cloud-kissed shola grasslands at the summit
The Western Ghats intercept the southwest monsoon, creating one of the wettest regions on Earth on the windward side and a rain shadow on the leeward Deccan
Orographic rainfall peaks during June-September monsoon
Cool escapes nestled among the mist-covered peaks of the Sahyadri
The UNESCO World Heritage designation covers 39 serial properties across the Western Ghats
Key national parks safeguarding the Western Ghats' extraordinary biodiversity
Major hydroelectric projects harnessing the steep gradients and heavy rainfall of the Western Ghats
A side-by-side comparison of India's two great escarpment ranges
| Feature | ⛰ Western Ghats | 🏔 Eastern Ghats |
|---|---|---|
| Continuity | Continuous | Discontinuous |
| Average Height | ~1,500 m | ~600 m |
| Length | 1,600 km | ~1,750 km |
| Rainfall | 2,000–8,000 mm | 1,000–1,500 mm |
| Biodiversity | Global Hotspot | Moderate |
| Rivers | Originate here | Cut through |
| UNESCO Status | ✓ Yes (2012) | ✗ No |
| Highest Peak | Anamudi (2,695 m) | Jindhagada (1,690 m) |
| Coast | Arabian Sea (West) | Bay of Bengal (East) |
| States | 6 States | 4 States |
Balancing development with preservation of this irreplaceable ecological treasure
Ongoing challenges to the ecosystem
Measures to protect the ecosystem
The Western Ghats are deeply woven into India's spiritual, medicinal, and cultural heritage
Formed 150 million years ago during the breakup of Gondwana, older than the Himalayas