The Indian subcontinent is surrounded by water on its three sides and is divided from the other Asian countries, by the huge mountain ranges, known as the Himalayas. India begins with the dynamic area of the northern mountain terrain varying from arid mountains in the far north to the lake country and forests near Srinagar and Jammu. A long mountain chain, the Western Ghats, separates the verdant coast from the Vindya Mountains and the dry Deccan plateau further inland.

The abundance of mountain ranges in India makes it a very important place and it also provides ample opportunity for eco-tourism and trekking. But apart from being scenic wonders of the country and being ecologically useful, as one of the most dramatic features of the natural landscape, the Indian mountains have an extraordinary power to evoke spirituality and sanctity. The Indian mountains have traditionally regarded as the abodes of Gods. For example, the Kailash Mountain at Tibet is regarded as the abode of Lord Shiva. Some mountains are also held sacred due to their association with deities, mythology or legends. For example, Mount Govardhan at Brindavan is revered for its association with Lord Krishna. And lastly, they are also held revered as places of spiritual attainment.

The Himalayas
These mountain ranges in Asia, seperate India from the Tibetan plateau. It stretches across Bhutan, china, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Thus, the arc-shaped Himalayas extend along the entire northern boundary of India and carve just as far across the Indian subcontinent. The higher regions of the Himalayas are snowbound throughout the year, since it encompasses a very large number of glaciers. The Himalayas, due to their large size and expanse, have been a natural barrier to the movement of people for tens of thousands of years.

Vindhya range
The Vindhya range geographically seperates India into two parts, viz: the Northern India and the Southern India. It seperates the Sanskrit-speaking Aryans invaders from the Dravidian people of the Deccan The vindhyas is about 965 km long, rising to 915 meters above the sea level and it includes the state of Madhya Pradesh.

The Nilgiris
These are the Blue Mountains and this range is spread across the states of Ooty in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in Southern India. They are more famously known as the Nilgiri Hills. The highest point in these mountains is the mountain of Doddabetta, with a height of 2,637 m.

The Sahyadris
The Sahyadri range has very rough topographical features that include rocky mountains and pinnacles, historic hill forts; huge lakes and extensive forest region are a virtual paradise for trekking, climbing and camping. Hence, it is the highlight of the landscape of Maharashtra. The Sahyadris also provide a wide choice of outdoor and adventure to all lovers of outdoor life - the trekker, the climber and the nature lover.

Jaintia Hills
Jaintia Hills is situated in Meghalaya, India. The hills occupy an area of 3819 km sq. m. The Jaintia Hills district is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests region.

The Mizo hills
The Mizo Hills also known as the Lushai hills are in Mizoram and partly in Tripura, India. They are a part of the Patkai range. The Mizo hills rise more than 2000 m(6560 ft) near the Myanmar border. The climate of the Mizo hills is basically temperate, since the Tropic of Cancer runs through it.

Naga Hills
The Naga hills are located in India extending into Mayanmar. It forms a divide between India and Mayanmar. The hills are 3825 meters high, extending northerly they are known as `Arakan Yoma` which is 12,552 feet. The Naga hills join the sub-Himalayan ranges in the north.

Garo Hills
The Garo hills are a part of the range that is called the Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya, which is again a part of the Himalayan Subtropical forests. Situated in that range is the capital of Meghalaya, Shillong. The hills are mostly dominated by the tribals.

Cardamom Hills
The Cardamom hills are located in the southern tip of India encompassing the Western Ghats. Western part of the Cardamom hills are in the south-central region of Kerala, the percentage area being 26% and the other part of the hill extending till Tamil Nadu with a percentage area of 74%.

Some of the other mountain ranges are