Doddabetta(Tamil pronunciation:[toʈːabeʈːaː]) is the highest mountain in theNilgiri Mountainsat 2,637 metres (8,652 ft). There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 9 km fromOoty,on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road in theNilgiris DistrictofTamil Nadu,India.It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. It is the fourth highest peak inSouth Indianext toAnamudi,Mannamalai andMeesapulimala.The peaks Hecuba (2375 m), Kattadadu (2418 m) and Kulkudi (2439 m) are the three closely linked summits in the west of the Doddabetta range near to Udagamandalam. The word Doddabetta is derived fromKannada,meaning 'big hill'.
| Doddabetta | |
|---|---|
 Telescope House at the summit of Dodda Betta | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,637 m (8,652 ft)[1] |
| Prominence | 2,256 m (7,402 ft)[1] |
| Listing | Ultra List of Indian states and territories by highest point |
| Coordinates | 11°24′08.7″N76°44′12.2″E/ 11.402417°N 76.736722°E[1] |
| Geography | |
  Doddabetta Location of Doddabetta within Tamil Nadu, India | |
| Location | Udagamandalam,Nilgiri District,Tamil Nadu,India |
| Parent range | Nilgiri Hills |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Doddabetta Road |
Flora
editThe area surrounding Doddabetta is mostly forested.Sholascover the hollows of its slopes. Slightly stunted,rhododendrontrees, in the midst of thick coarse grass, flowering sub-alpine shrubs and herbs are common, even very near the peak.[2][3]
Telescope House
editThere is an observatory at the top of Doddabetta with two telescopes available for the public. It was opened on 18 June 1983 and is run by theTamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation(TTDC). The average number of viewers in 2001-2002 was 3500 per day in the season and 700 per day in the off-season.[4]
References
edit
- ^abc"Southern Indian Subcontinent: 4 Mountain Summits with Prominence of 1,500 meters or greater".Peaklist.org.Retrieved24 November2011.
- ^"Places of Interest:Doddabetta".Archived fromthe originalon 29 September 2007.Retrieved31 August2007.
- ^"Hills and Peaks".National Informatics Centre, Nilgiris. Archived fromthe originalon 27 September 2011.Retrieved31 August2007.
- ^"Ooty, Nilgiris".National Informatics Centre, Nilgiris. 20 August 2007. Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2011.