PrepMaticTamil Nadu GK · Geography & nature
Mountain peaks of Tamil Nadu: highest peaks, ranges and passes
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Doddabetta in the Nilgiris, at about 2,637 m, is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu. The state has two mountain systems: the Western Ghats along the Kerala border, where all the high peaks stand, and the lower, broken Eastern Ghats in the interior. Anamudi in Kerala (2,695 m) is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and in peninsular India, so a question about "South India's highest" does not have Doddabetta as the answer.
Peaks of Tamil Nadu
| Peak | Range | District | Height (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doddabetta | Nilgiris | Nilgiris | 2,637 m; highest in Tamil Nadu |
| Kolaribetta | Nilgiris | Nilgiris | 2,630 m |
| Mukurthi | Nilgiris | Nilgiris | 2,554 m |
| Vembadi Shola | Palani hills | Dindigul | 2,505 m; highest in the Palani hills |
| Anginda | Nilgiris, Kerala border | Nilgiris | 2,383 m |
| Perumal Malai | Palani hills | Dindigul | 2,234 m |
| Agasthyarkoodam | Agasthyamalai, Kerala border | Tirunelveli | 1,868 m |
| Vellingiri | Western Ghats | Coimbatore | 1,778 m |
| Mahendragiri | Western Ghats south | Tirunelveli | 1,654 m |
| Servarayan | Shevaroy hills | Salem | 1,623 m; highest in the Shevaroys |
| Arunachala (Annamalai) | Eastern Ghats | Tiruvannamalai | About 814 m; Karthigai Deepam is lit at the top |
Heights differ by a few metres between sources, so use the ranking and the district more than the exact figure.
The ranges
Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu run from the Nilgiris in the north-west to the Agasthyamalai (Pothigai) hills near Kanniyakumari. The main ranges are the Nilgiris, Anamalai, Palani, Cardamom (Elamalai) and Agasthyamalai. The Nilgiris are where the Western and Eastern Ghats meet.
Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu are not a continuous wall. They are a set of isolated hills: Javadhu, Shevaroy (Servarayan), Kalrayan, Kollimalai and Pachamalai. They are lower, mostly under 1,700 m, and are cut by river valleys.
Gaps and passes
| Gap or pass | Where | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Palakkad (Palghat) Gap | Between the Nilgiris and the Anamalai hills | Wide gap linking Tamil Nadu and Kerala; brings the south-west wind and supports wind power |
| Shencottah (Senkottai) Gap | Tenkasi, Kerala border | Road and rail link; lets south-west monsoon showers reach the Courtallam area |
| Aralvaimozhi Pass | Near Kanniyakumari | Gap in the southern Western Ghats; major wind-farm area |
| Bodinayakanur Pass | Theni | Road link between Theni and Munnar in Kerala |
Short notes on most-asked items
- Highest in Tamil Nadu. Doddabetta, near Ooty, with a telescope house and viewpoint.
- Highest in the Palani hills. Vembadi Shola. Kodaikanal sits on the same hills; see hill stations of Tamil Nadu.
- Mahendragiri. In Tirunelveli district, the site of the ISRO Propulsion Complex.
- Arunachala. A hill sacred to Shiva where the Karthigai Deepam is lit at the top.
- Kurinji. The Kurinji flower covers the Palani and Nilgiri slopes once every twelve years.
- Parts of two States. Anginda and Agasthyarkoodam are on the Kerala border, which is why some books list them under Kerala.
How to revise
Remember the pattern: the three highest peaks are all in the Nilgiris (Doddabetta, Kolaribetta, Mukurthi), then the Palani hills (Vembadi Shola, Perumal Malai), then the south (Agasthyarkoodam, Mahendragiri). Then add the Eastern Ghats chain from north to south: Javadhu, Kalrayan, Shevaroy, Kollimalai, Pachamalai. The TNPSC geography guide points to the Samacheer maps for this, and rivers of Tamil Nadu shows which rivers rise on which ranges.
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu?
Doddabetta in the Nilgiris, at about 2,637 m.
What is the highest peak in the Western Ghats?
Anamudi in Kerala, at about 2,695 m, which is also the highest in South India.
Which gap connects Tamil Nadu and Kerala between the Nilgiris and Anamalai hills?
The Palakkad (Palghat) Gap.
Which hills form the Eastern Ghats in Tamil Nadu?
Javadhu, Shevaroy, Kalrayan, Kollimalai and Pachamalai are the main ranges.
Official sources
Elevations vary between surveys, so treat figures as approximate.
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