Beyond the syllabus: 12 amazing records where India holds the No 1 spot
From the earliest footsteps of civilization to the first computer of the world, every country has their unique claim to fame. You’ll be surprised to know how many of such highest, oldest, largest and unique points lie in our motherland India.
In this edition of Beyond the Syllabus, we decided to list out some such unique exclusive stats of India. Between the wettest place on earth to the highest cricket ground, we have listed 12 distinctive points that lie in India.
Take a look at these 12 places and revel in these amazing natural and man-made landscapes that lie in our own country.
1. Mawsynram & Cherrapunji (Meghalaya): The Wettest Place on Earth
Mawsynram (and not Cherrapunji) is the wettest place on earth, with an annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres (467.4 in). Mawsynram is just 16 kms away from Cherrapunji, which was earlier the wettest place on Earth. Cherrapunji continues to hold the record for most rainfall in a month and in a year. Due to a subtropical highland climate, both these places receive high rainfalls over a long period of time.
2. The Himalayan Range: Highest Mountain Range of the World
The highest mountain range of the world is home to two of highest peaks in the world – Mount Everest (Himalaya) and Kangchenjunga (Himalaya). The Himalayan range considered sacred in Hindu and Buddhist religions. The Hindus consider the range to be the ‘home of the Gods’. The range has more than hundred mountains. It also one of the youngest mountain-ranges in the world, that stated forming about 70 million years ago.
3. Gorakhpur Railway Station (Uttar Pradesh): Longest Railway Platform in the World
Gorakhpur Railway Junction became the longest railway platform in the world in 2013, after the inauguration of the remodelled Gorakhpur Yard with a stretch of around 1.35 kilometres (0.84 mi). The station serves as the headquarters of North Eastern Railway. The station handles handles over 189 trains and about 270,000 passengers on a daily basis.
4. Mana Pass: Highest Motorable Road in the World
Mana Pass (and not Khardung La pass) in the Himalayas is the highest vehicle-accessible pass in the world. It is situated on the border between India and Tibet and lies about 27 kms away from Badrinath (Hindu pilgrimage town) in Uttarakhand. The road was constructed between 2005 - 2010 period by the Indian military (Border Roads Organisation). It is visible on Google Earth and is located on the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
5. Majuli (Assam): World's Largest River Island
Majuli or Majoli is the largest riverine island of the world in the Brahmaputra River, Assam. The island was formed after Brahmaputra River and its tributaries changed their course. The island is also the abode of the Assamese neo-Vaisnavite culture and the leading center of Vaishavinism. Several tribes, including Mising tribes from AP and Deori and Sonowal Kacharis tribes, are the main residents of M?juli. The island has 144 villages and is the cultural capital Assamese civilization from the last 500 years.
6. Siachen Glacier: World’s highest Helipad
Siachen glacier, in the eastern Karakoram range, is located above Line of Control between India and Pakistan. It has the world's highest helipad, built at a height of 21,000 feet (6400 m) above sea level. The glacier also happens to be the highest battleground on Earth.
Source: Incredible India
7. Yak Golf Course (Kupup, East Sikkim): Highest Altitude Golf Course in the World
Yak golf course in Kupup, East Sikkim, is the highest altitude golf course of the world. At 13,025 feet (3,970m) above sea level, the golf course is part of Indian Army base and measures 6026 yards long. According to Incredible India, the Golf Course was started on September 19, 1972 at Kupup. It was re-designed in 1979 by Brig JM Singh and expanded to 18 holes.
8. Ramoji Film City: World's Largest Film Studio Complex
Move over Walt Disney and Pixar and Fox and other international studios. The largest film city in the world is The Ramoji Film City, located in Anajpur village, Hayathnagar Mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana. Spread over 1666 acres, it is the ‘largest integrated film city’ of the world. It is also a popular tourism and recreation centre.
9. Ganges Delta: World's Largest Delta
The Ganges–Brahmaputra Delta, also known as the Sunderbans Delta, Bengal Delta, the Green Delta and Ganges Delta, is the world's largest delta which empties into the Bay of Bengal. Shaped like a triangle, the delta lies mostly in Bangladesh and West Bengal. It is one of the most fertile regions in the world. About 125 and 143 million people live on the delta. “It is believed that upwards of 300 million people are supported by the Ganges Delta, and approximately 400 million people live in the Ganges River Basin, making it the most populous river basin in the world. Most of the Ganges Delta has a population density of more than 200 people per km2 (520 people per square mile), making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world,” states Wikipedia.
10. Sundarbans: Largest Mangrove Forest in the World
The Sundarbans (also located in the Ganges Delta) is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It is situated in Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. It was declares a world heritage site in 1987 and is known for the wide variety of flora and fauna. The delta has a National Park, a Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve. Sunderbans is home to various threatened species such as the Bengal tiger, estuarine crocodile and the Indian python.
11. Bhimbetka rock shelters: World's oldest stonewalls and floors
We already spoke about Bhimbetka in our earlier article of Beyond the Syllabus- eight must visit places. The Bhimbetka rock shelters are about 300,000 years old and have the imprint of the earliest human life, homo eructus. It is home to the world’s oldest stone walls and floors. the world’s oldest stone walls and floors. The walls of these natural rock shelters display paintings from the Stone Age.
12. Chail Cricket Groud: World's Highest Cricket Ground
Chail, Himachal Pradesh, has the highest cricket ground in the world. Built in 1893, the field is located at an altitude of 2,444 m. Currently Chail Military School is using it as school playground. The field is also used as polo ground and football ground.
