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Friday, March 22, 2019

Doddabetta Peak, Ooty, Nilgiris

Doddabetta Peak, Ooty, Nilgiris
Doddabetta Peak is located in picturesque Nilgiris Hills near Ooty Town in Ooty Taluk of Nilgiris District of Tamilnadu. The name Doddabetta literally means ’Big Mountain' in the Badugu Language, which is so in reality. It is situated at the junction of Western and Eastern Ghats and offer beautiful vistas of Nilgiri Hills range. 



The Peak
Doddabetta is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,637 metres (8,650 feet). It is the fourth highest peak in South India next to Anamudi, Meesapulimala and Mannamalai. 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 Udhagamandalam.



There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. One can have a magnificent panoramic view of landscape and the whole of the District and even beyond through the Telescope House run by T.T.D.C., which is an added attraction. The Sunset is spectacular from this view point. 



Flora
The area surrounding Doddabetta is mostly forested. Sholas cover the hollows of its slopes. Slightly stunted, rhododendron trees, in the midst of thick coarse grass, flowering sub-alpine shrubs and herbs are common, even very near the peak.



Telescope House
There 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 the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The average number of viewers in 2001-2002 was 3500 per day in season and 700 per day in the off season.

Connectivity
Doddabetta Peak is located at about 10 Kms from Ooty Bus Stand, 11 Kms from Ooty, 10 Kms from Ooty Railway Station, 25 Kms from Coonoor, 27 Kms from Kotagiri, 56 Kms from Mettupalayam Railway Station and 95 Kms from Coimbatore Airport. Doddabetta Peak is situated on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road. Private Taxis are available from Ooty, Kotagiri and Coonoor to reach this place.
Location