During the summer holidays, tourists usually flock to the hills. But this time, it's not North Bengal or Uttarakhand. The destination is South India's Everest, 'Anamudi'. In Malayalam, the word 'Anamudi' literally means 'elephant's forehead'. When you see the dome-shaped peak of the mountain from a distance, it looks like the head of a gigantic elephant. Standing at a height of 2,695 meters (8,842 feet) above sea level is 'Anamudi'. Located on Kerala's Eravikulam plateau, this mountain is not only South India's highest peak, but it is also one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots.
Anamudi is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you can spot the endangered wild goat 'Nilgiri Tahr'. At this altitude, they roam freely on the mountain slopes with great joy. There are also rare species of orchids and various native birds. One of the main attractions of this mountain is the Neelakurinji flower. Once every 12 years, when this flower blooms, the entire mountain gets covered in a blue carpet. Tourists from home and abroad flock to see this sight. However, unlike other Himalayan peaks, trekking to Anamudi's summit is generally not permitted. Climbing to the mountain's peak is prohibited to ensure wildlife safety and maintain natural balance.
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What will you see when you come here?
The park's designated walking trails are open to tourists. The 'panoramic view' of the Western Ghats mountain range from here is simply incomparable. Dense green hills on both sides and white clouds floating overhead—altogether, it will feel like you've entered a movie scene.
Anamudi's main attraction is the endangered species, Nilgiri Tahr. Spotting these wild goats peacefully grazing on the mountain slopes is a matter of luck.
Just taking pictures won't do. To learn about the diversity of this region, you must visit the park's interpretation centre. You'll get all the unknown information about this region's unique ecosystem, rare orchids, and mountain birds from here.
For photographers, Anamudi is like heaven. Mist-covered valleys, unknown wild flowers blooming in mountain crevices, and rare plants will give your camera frame a royal appearance.
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Very close to Anamudi is the dream city of Munnar. To relieve the fatigue of mountain travel, you can spend time in the miles and miles of sprawling tea gardens here. You can also go for a 'long drive' along the winding roads cutting through the green landscape.
Best time to travel
The best time to enjoy Anamudi's true beauty and pleasant environment is from October to March. During this time, the weather in the Western Ghats mountain range remains extremely pleasant. Since this is a protected forest area, certain rules must be followed when travelling here. Due to excessive rainfall, the mountain paths can become slippery and dangerous during the monsoon season (June to September), so the winter period is the safest for touring.
