Anaimudi

Anamudi is a mountain located in Ernakulam district and Idukki district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and in South India, at an elevation of and a topographic prominence of . The name Anamudi literally translates to "elephant's head" a reference to the resemblance of the mountain to an elephant's head.
Anamudi is the highest mountain in peninsular India as well as the largest mountain in Kerala. Meanwhile, the highest independent mountain (free-standing mountain) in Kerala is the Cheriyam mountain in Malappuram district. Cheriyam mountain is located at an elevation of 613 m (2,011 ft) above sea level.

The first recorded ascent of Anamudi was by General Douglas Hamilton of the Madras Army on 4 May 1862, but it is likely that there had been earlier ascents by local people.

Anamudi peak is one of only three ultra prominent peaks in South India. It is also the peak with the greatest topographic isolation within India. It is the highest point in India south of Himalayas. Thus it is known as "Everest of South India".
The peak is not exceptionally dramatic in term of steepness or local relief and is a fault-block mountain. It is located in the southern region of Eravikulam National Park at the junction of the Cardamom Hills, the Anaimalai Hills and the Palani Hills. The nearest town is Munnar, at a distance of . The easiest route to the summit of Anamudi is a technically easy hike on grass slopes, starting from a rolling hill plateau with a base elevation of about . The north and south slopes are gentle, while the east and west slopes are steeper, with more difficult rock faces.

Anamudi and the Eravikulam National Park surrounding it is home to the largest surviving population of the Nilgiri tahr (''Nilgiritragus hylocrius''). Asian elephants, gaur, Bengal tigers, and the Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii) are some of the species of animals found here . The Anamudi peak area is also habitat of a unique frog '' Raorchestes resplendens''. This newly discovered species is located in the Eravikulam National Park and is restricted to less than three km² on the summit of Anamudi. The summit of the Anamudi is vegetated with patches of stunted ''Arundinaria densifolia'' and ''Gaultheria fragrantissima'' (wintergreen), ''Anaphalis'' sp., ''Impatiens'' and some species of ''Eriocaulon''.

Climatic zones and biomes

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India, having an elevation of . Anamudi is also the highest point in South India. This gives Anamudi its relatively large topographic prominence of , the associated key saddle being over away at in Haryana state just to the west of Delhi. The peak is the highest point of the Periyar River basin.
Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies it as subtropical highland (''Cwb''). Sholas are found in its valleys, like most meadows of the Western Ghats.

Gallery

File:Blue Mountains, Anaimudi.jpg, Anamudi as seen from an aircraft. The peak is in the center of the image with a small white cloud seen behind its rounded summit
File:Anamudi-flight1.jpg, Anamudi, on the right, as seen on the descent towards Cochin International Airport from the Delhi-Kochi flight
File:Anamudi from Munnar Gundumalai road.jpg, Anamudi, on the right, as seen from the Munnar-Udumalpettai highway

See also

* Eravikulam National Park
* Munnar
* Pallivasal
* Pooyamkutty

Citations

References

* .
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External links

Beautiful natural sound of flowing water on Anamudi slope near peak

{{Tourism in Kerala

Highest peaks in Southern India

Mountains of the Western Ghats
Mountains of Kerala
Geography of Idukki district
Two-thousanders of Asia
Highest points of Indian states and union territories
Tourist attractions in Idukki district
Tourist attractions in Kerala