Anamudi
A view of the Anamudi peak from the Naikolli Mala ridge
Highest point
Elevation	2,695 m (8,842 ft)[1]
Prominence	2,479 m (8,133 ft)[2]
Isolation	2,115 km (1,314 mi)
Listing	Ultra List of Indian states and territories by highest point
Coordinates	10°10′09″N 77°03′38″E / 10.16923°N 77.06066°E / 10.16923; 77.06066[3]
Naming
English translation	Elephant peak
Language of name	Malayalam
Geography
Anamudi Location of Anamudi Peak in Kerala Show map of Kerala Anamudi Anamudi (India) Show map of India
Location	Border between Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district and Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district, Kerala, India[4]
Parent range	Anamala Hills, Western Ghats
Geology
Orogeny	Pan-African (Mozambique)
Age of rock	Neoproterozoic (804-509 mya)
Mountain type	Fault-block
Type of rock	Munnar Granite
Climbing
First ascent	by villagers(unknown)
Easiest route	hike

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 (Sahyadri Mountain) and in South India, at an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft)^[1] and a topographic prominence of 2,479 metres (8,133 ft).^[2][4] The name Anamudi literally translates to "elephant's hair" a reference to the mountain's appearance.^[5] Anamudi is the highest mountain in peninsular India as well as the largest mountain in Kerala.

The first recorded ascent is likely 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.^[6] It is the highest point in India south of Himalayas. Thus it is known as "Everest of South India".^[7] The peak is not exceptionally dramatic in term of steepness or local relief and is a fault-block mountain.^[8] 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 13 kilometres (8 mi). 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 2,000 metres (6,600 ft). 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 .^[9] The Anamudi peak^[10] area is also habitat of a unique frog Raorchestes resplendens.^[11] This newly discovered species is located in the Eravikulam National Park and is restricted to less than three km² on the summit of Anamudi.^[12] The summit of the Anamudi is vegetated with patches of stunted Kuruna densifolia and Gaultheria fragrantissima (wintergreen), Anaphalis sp., Impatiens and some species of Eriocaulon.^[13]

Geology

Anamudi is located within a larger tectonic province, a Neoproterozoic mobile belt known as the Southern Granulite Terrane (SGT) or alternatively, the Pandyan Mobile Belt. This geologic province represents an area of Archean rocks that were deeply buried during the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Orogeny, as part of the Mozambique Belt, in which developed Himalayan-scale mountains when West and East Gondwana collided due to the closure of the ancient Mozambique Ocean. Specifically, Anamudi is located within a geological subprovince of the SGT known as the Madurai Province. The mountain massif itself is composed of Neoproterozoic A-type granite known as Munnar Granite, which was intruded deep into the thickened crust of the SGT during Orogenic collapse of the Pan-African highlands. After approximately 800-500 million years of burial, the Munnar Granite of the Anamundi massif is now exposed high above sea level due to a combination of faulting and unroofing.^[14]

Climatic zones and biomes

Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats in India,^[15] having an elevation of 2,695 metres (8,842 ft).^[1][3] Anamudi is also the highest point in South India.^[9] This gives Anamudi its relatively large topographic prominence of 2,479 metres (8,133 ft), the associated key saddle being over 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) away at 28°35′20″N 76°27′59″E / 28.58889°N 76.46639°E / 28.58889; 76.46639 in Haryana state just to the west of Delhi.^[2] The peak is the highest point of the Periyar River basin.^[16] Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies it as subtropical highland (Cwb), bordering on Cwc and ET. Sholas are found in its valleys, like most meadows of the Western Ghats.^[17]

Gallery

• 
  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
• 
  Anamudi, on the right, as seen on the descent towards Cochin International Airport from the Delhi-Kochi flight
• 
  Anamudi, on the right, as seen from the Munnar-Udumalpettai highway