Glacier in Local Language called as – Shigri. In Himachal Glacier are mainly found at Points where different mountain ranges meet each other. (see map below). Shivalik mountain ranges is snowless , similarly Spiti valley is also cold desert, however Glacier still can be found at higher reaches. So Three points where glacier are mostly found are- A) Entire span of Greater Himalaya, B) point where Greater Himalaya and Pirpanjal Meet i.e in East of Kullu C) and point where Pirpanjal and Dhauladhar Meet i.e Barabhangal area. Reader must note that, it is not that glaciers are only found in these meeting points, you can found glacier in other part of Pirpanjal and Dhauladhar.
| Glacier Name | Location / Region | River / Lake Fed | Altitude / Length | Historical / Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bara Shigri | Chandra Valley, Lahaul | Chenab River, Chandertal Lake | 25 km long, 3 km wide; 3950–4570 m | Largest glacier; partially melted in 1936 forming lake; visited by Stephenson (1858), Capt. Harcourt (1869), Walker & Pascoe (1906), Major Baljit Singh (1970). |
| Chhota Shigri | Northern slopes of Pir Panjal Range | — | — | Smaller, steeper and slippery; lies opposite Bara Shigri. |
| Bhadal Glacier | Bara Bhangal area, Kangra District | Bhadal River | — | Size increases due to heavy snowfall. |
| Bhaga Glacier | Lahaul & Spiti District | Bhaga River | 25 km long | Surrounded by snow-covered peaks. |
| Chandra Glacier | Lahaul & Spiti District | Chandertal Lake | — | Separated from Bara Shigri; source of Chandertal Lake. |
| Chandra Nahan | SE slopes of Himalayas near Rohru | Chandra Nahan Lake | >6000 m | High-altitude glacier feeding alpine lake. |
| Lady of Keylong | Near Keylong, Lahaul | — | ~6061 m | Named by Lady Elashainghday during British rule; visible from Keylong. |
| Sonapani Glacier | Near Kulti Nala, visible from Rohtang | — | 11 km long | Surveyed in 1906 (Walker & Pascoe) and 1957 (Kurion & Munshi); features ice cave and old terminal moraines. |
| Perad Glacier | Near Putiruni, Lahaul | — | — | Small, accessible; has well-marked ice cave. |
| Mukkila Glacier | Lahaul-Spiti District | Bhaga River | 12 km long | Along with Miyar Glacier feeds Bhaga and Miyar rivers. |
| Miyar Glacier | Lahaul-Spiti District | Miyar River | 12 km long | Known for accessibility for trekking. |
| Trilokinath Glacier | Near Trilokinath Temple, Lahaul-Spiti | Chenab River | — | Clearly visible from temple; adds religious significance. |
| Gangstang Glacier | Western Lahaul Region | Shahsha Nullah → Chandrabhaga River | ~5480 m | Lies near border of Lahaul; contributes to tributaries of Chenab. |
| Dudhon Glacier | Parbati Valley | Parbati Stream | 15 km long | Hydrologically significant for Parbati catchment. |
| Parbati Glacier | Parbati Valley | Parbati Stream | 15 km long | Major glacier in Kullu region. |
| Beas Kund Glacier | Near Rohtang Pass, Pir Panjal Range | Beas River | — | Source of Beas River; located on south-facing slopes of Pir Panjal. |
| Ghhudong Glacier | Chenab Basin | Chenab River | — | Lesser-known glacier in Chenab catchment. |
| Sara Umga Glacier | Beas Basin | Beas River | — | Smaller glacier of Beas basin. |
| Trichu Glacier | Beas Basin | Beas River | — | Another glacier of Beas catchment. |
Glacier of Greater Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh.
-Greater Himalaya is highest of all mountain range, it enter the district in Lahaul Spiti transvered through Kullu and Kinnaur. Most of Himachal Pradesh Glaciers are located here. In below given map you can see most of Glaciers are located here. In this main ranges you will find important Glaciers Like:-
- Miyar Glacier in Miyar Valley
- Lay of Keylong
- Chhudong Glacier
- Gangstang Glacier
- Neelkant Galcier
- Mulkila Glacier.
- North and south Dakka glaciers
- Sonapani Glaciers etc all are located in Lahaul. You can find more from Below given maps.
- Gara and Baspa Glacier of Kinnaur.
-All above mention glaciers feed the Chandrabhaga river, these vast network of glaciers also make chandrabhaga the largest river of Himachal Pradesh interm of volume.
Pirpanjal and Greater Himalaya’s Glaciers of Himachal Pradesh
Pirpanjal range fall in between Dhauladhar and Greater Himalaya, which mean it mingle with both the mountain ranges. Greater Himalya and Pirpanhal meet in east of Kullu, at this point you will also found many towering peaks of Himachal Pradesha in specific and Himalaya in general. Important Glacier of this points are-
- Barashigri and chhotashigri Glacier.( Lahaul -Spiti)
- Sara Umga,Kulta etc of Kullu.
These glaciers feed both the Beas and Satluj rivers.
Dhauladhar and Pirpanjal’s Glaciers, Himachal Pradesh.
- Bothe the mountain ranges meet in Barabhangal. Ravi river also originsate from here.
- Bhadal and Tamsar glaciers are the most importnat glacier of this point
Maps Based Question for of Glaciers:
*The Chenab basin hosts the largest numbers of glaciers like Bara Shigri, Chhota Shigri, and Miyar, feeding rivers such as the Chandra and Bhaga. The Beas basin, covering Kullu and Mandi, includes glaciers like Beas Kund and Kaliheni, while the Ravi basin in Chamba and Kangra contains smaller glaciers like Bhadal and Chobia. In the Satluj basin, glaciers like Baspa and Bamak feed the Baspa and Pabbar rivers. Though the Yamuna basin lies mostly outside the state, the Pabbar River from the Chandernahan Glacier forms an important tributary. These glaciers, primarily fed by Western Disturbances, are crucial for the hydrology, agriculture, and energy systems of the region.
Source:- Himachal Pradesh Geography Through Maps by Pardeep Kumar.
(Amazon buying linhttps://www.amazon.in/Himachal-Pradesh-Geography-Through-Maps/dp/B0FJ2R4B4P)
