Doddabetta

Doddabetta (IPA: [d̪oɖːɐbeʈːɐ]) is the highest mountain in the Nilgiri Mountains at 2,637 metres (8,652 ft). There is a reserved forest area around the peak. It is 9 km from Ooty, on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a popular tourist attraction with road access to the summit. It is the third highest peak in South India next to Anamudi and Meesapulimala. 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 from Kannada, 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, Ribu List of Indian states and territories by highest point
Coordinates	11°24′08.7″N 76°44′12.2″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

View from the Doddabetta Peak - Ooty, Tamil Nadu.

Detailed map of surrounding area

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.^[2][3]

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 the season and 700 per day in the off-season.^[4]