Difference Between Eastern and Western Ghats

The peninsular plateau of India is bordered by two major mountain ranges running parallel to the coastlines: The Western Ghats on the Arabian Sea side, and the Eastern Ghats on the Bay of Bengal side. Understanding the geographical differences between them is a fundamental topic in Indian Geography.

Question (Click to Flip)

What is the main difference between Western and Eastern Ghats?

Answer

The Western Ghats are a continuous, very tall mountain range that causes heavy rainfall. The Eastern Ghats are a lower, broken chain of mountains cut by major rivers.

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Key Facts

Western Ghats: Continuous, taller (avg 1500m), cause heavy monsoon rainfall.

Eastern Ghats: Discontinuous, lower (avg 600m), receive less rainfall.

Western Highest Peak: Anaimudi (2,695m).

Eastern Highest Peak: Mahendragiri (1,501m).

Meeting Point: The two mountain ranges physically meet at the Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.

1. Continuity and Structure

Western Ghats: They are a massive, continuous chain of mountains. They can only be crossed through specific mountain passes (like Thal Ghat or Pal Ghat).
Eastern Ghats: They are highly discontinuous and irregular. Over millions of years, they have been heavily eroded and cut through by massive East-flowing rivers.

2. Elevation and Height

Western Ghats: They are significantly taller. Their average elevation is around 900 to 1,600 meters. The highest peak is Anaimudi (2,695m) in Kerala.
Eastern Ghats: They are much lower in height. Their average elevation is only around 600 meters. The highest peak is Mahendragiri (1,501m) in Odisha.

3. Rainfall and Climate

Western Ghats: Because they are tall and continuous, they physically block the South-West monsoon winds, causing extremely heavy orographic rainfall on their western slopes. They are covered in dense evergreen forests.
Eastern Ghats: They run parallel to the monsoon winds and are broken, meaning they receive significantly less rainfall and consist mostly of deciduous forests.

4. Major Rivers

Almost all major peninsular rivers (like the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri) originate in the tall Western Ghats.
These rivers flow eastwards, cut completely through the broken Eastern Ghats, and drain into the Bay of Bengal.

Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between Western and Eastern Ghats?+

The Western Ghats are a continuous, very tall mountain range that causes heavy rainfall. The Eastern Ghats are a lower, broken chain of mountains cut by major rivers.

Which is higher, Eastern Ghats or Western Ghats?+

The Western Ghats are significantly higher, with an average elevation of 900-1600 meters compared to the 600 meters of the Eastern Ghats.

Where do the Eastern and Western Ghats meet?+

They meet at the Nilgiri Hills, located in the state of Tamil Nadu.

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