The Sahyadris is a range of mountains in southwestern India, also known as the "Western Ghats". It is the physical backbone of the state, since its average height is around 1000m and its average elevation is around 900 meters. It falls to a steep cliff, on the west, near the Konkan. The Konkan area exists between the Sahyadri range and the Arabian Sea. There is also the Mawal area to the plateau level, towards the east, where the hill country falls in steps. The range starts south of the Tapti river near the border of Gujarat and Maharashtra, and runs approximately 1600 km through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala ending at Cape Comorin or Kanyakumari, the southern tip of the Indian peninsula.

The Sahyadri hills receive a heavy rainfall of 400 cm due to the seasonal rains from the western sea-clouds. The ranges is primary reason why the rainfall to the west of the range is so high, providing for such crops as coconuts, sugar, and fruits. 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. This range is known as the Sahyadri mountains in Maharashtra and Karnataka, Nilagiri malai in Tamilnadu, and Sahya Parvatam in Kerala. The Cardamom Hills and Nilgiri Hills are a part of Western Ghats.