Dhauladhar Range – Mythologies/Folklore
The range holds importance in various mythologies and folklore of the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Let us look into the mythologies and folklore of this range.
- Hindu Mythology: It is said that Lord Shiva resides atop Mount Kailash, which is located in the Trans-Himalayan region near the Dhauladhar Range. This range is often mentioned in the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
- Buddhist Influence: Areas like Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj in the Dhauladhar Range have a Buddhist presence. The 14th Dalai Mala has made Dharamshala his residence in exile.
- Local Folklore: There are numerous folk tales and legends associated with the mountains. These revolve around supernatural beings and deities that are believed to inhabit the mountains.
Dhauladhar Range
The Dhauladhar Range is a huge mountain range in northern India. It is also known as the Outer Himalayas or Lesser Himalayas. It rises from the Indian plains to the north of Kangra and Mandi. They begin near Dalhousie at the northwest end of Himachal Pradesh and pass through the state to the vicinity of the Beas River in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. They end near Badrinath in Garhwal and lie almost entirely in Himachal Pradesh. The elevation of the range varies from 3,500m to nearly 6,000m.
Let us learn more about the Dhauladhar range.