Major Mountain Peaks of India


India has a diversified environment that is adorned by a rich tapestry of mountain peaks. These peaks are evidence of nature's breath-taking wonders, from the imposing heights of Kangchenjunga in Sikkim to the unspoiled beauty of Nanda Devi in Uttarakhand. India's mountain ranges offer a haven for adventure seekers and a chance to immerse oneself in the spectacular grandeur of the country's lofty summits, whether it's the difficult ascent of Kamet or the peaceful allure of Trisul.

Features of Major Mountain Peaks of India

Here are the descriptions of major mountain peaks of India −

K2 (Godwin Austen)

K2, also known as Godwin Austin, is the second-highest mountain peak on Earth. It is 8,611 metres (28,251 ft) above sea level. It lies in the Karakoram range, partially in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK) and partially in the China-administered Trans-Karakoram Tract in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County of Xinjiang.

Kangchenjunga

The tallest peak in India and the furthest east of all summits higher than 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) is Kangchenjunga. It has traditionally been revered by the people of Darjeeling and Sikkim and is known as the Five Treasures of Snow due to its five lofty peaks. It rises at an altitude of 8,586 m (28,169 ft) in the Kangchenjunga Himal region of the Himalayas, which is bordered to the west by the Tamur River and to the east by the Teesta River. The Kangchenjunga Himal is situated in Sikkim, India, and eastern Nepal. After Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga's main summit is Nepal's second-highest mountain. The Main, Central, and South peaks, three of the five peaks, lie on the border between North Sikkim and Nepal.

Nanda Devi

After Kangchenjunga, Nanda Devi is the highest peak in India and the tallest one that is totally contained within the nation. The 23rd-highest peak in the world is Nanda Devi. It may be found in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, sandwiched between the Goriganga Valley to the east and the Rishiganga Valley to the west. The peak is revered as the protector goddess of the Garhwal and Kumaon Himalayas; its name translates to "Bliss-Giving Goddess." On the border between India and Nepal is Kangchenjunga. In 1988, UNESCO designated the Nanda Devi National Park as a World Heritage Site.

Kamet

In India's Uttarakhand state, Kamet is the second-highest mountain after Nanda Devi. It is located in Uttarakhand's Chamoli District. It looks like a huge pyramid with a flat summit section and two peaks on top. It is located 7,756 meters above sea level. It was climbed for the first time in 1931 and is 7,756 meters high. Although it ranks lower if mountains inside Indian-claimed territory in Pakistan are included, it is the third-highest mountain in Indian-controlled territory and the 29th-highest mountain in the entire world.

Trisul

The tallest peak in the Trisul group of three Himalayan Mountain peaks is Trisul I, which rises to a height of 7120 meters in western Kumaun, Uttarakhand. The Sanskrit word Trishula, or "trident," refers to Shiva's sword, and the three peaks resemble one. About 15 km (9 mi) west-southwest of Nanda Devi itself, the Trishul group forms the southwest corner of the ring of peaks encompassing the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. In 1907, the main peak, Trisul I, became the first peak higher than 7,000 meters (22,970 feet) to be scaled.

Chaukhamba

A mountain massif called Chaukhamba is located in the Gangotri Group of the Garhwal Himalaya. The highest peak in the group is Chaukhamba I, which is its primary summit. It serves as the eastern anchor of the group and is located near the head of the Gangotri Glacier. West of the Hindu holy town of Badrinath, it is situated in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The main summit is located at the northeast end of Chaukhamba, which includes four summits along a ridge that runs northeast-southwest. The summits' elevations range from 7,138 meters to 6,854 meters, with an average of 7,014 meters.

Anamudi

Anamudi is a mountain that may be found in Kerala, India's Ernakulam and Idukki districts. At 2,695 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in both South India and the Western Ghats. The name Anamudi, which refers to the mountain's likeness to an elephant's head, is literally translated as "elephant's head". The largest mountain in Kerala is Anamudi, which is also the tallest mountain in peninsular India. "Everest of South India" is how people refer to it.

Saltoro Kangri

The Saltoro Kangri, formerly known as mountain 36, is the highest mountain in the Karakoram's Saltoro Mountains subrange, often referred to as the Saltoro Range. The twin peaks Saltoro Kangri I (to the south) and Saltoro Kangri II, which are joined by a saddle, are commonly referred to as Saltoro Kangri. When comparing the heights, Saltoro Kangri, a general name, is used to refer to the higher peak, Saltoro Kangri I, which is located in the far reaches of Karokaram and is the world's 31st tallest mountain. It is situated on the Actual Ground Position Line between Pakistani territory west of the Saltoro Range and Indian controlled area in the Siachen region.

Mamostong Kangri

The highest peak in the isolated Rimo Muztagh, a subrange of the Karakoram range in the Ladakh union region of India, is Mamostong Kangri or Mamostang Kangri, surveyed as K35. It is around 30 kilometres east-southeast of the Siachen Glacier's snout. It is the 500m prominence cutoff's 48th-highest independent summit in the world. On the slopes of Mamostong Kangri, the South Chong Kumdan, Kichik Kumdan (Thangman Kangri), Mamostong, and South Terong Glaciers all meet.

Rimo Kangri I

With an elevation of 7,385 meters, Rimo I is the major peak of the Rimo massif. It is located in the remote Rimo Muztagh subrange of the Karakoram Mountain range. It is the 71st highest peak in the world and is situated about 20 kilometres northeast of the mouth of the Siachen Glacier. The name "striped mountain" is rimo. Rimo was scarcely known and mostly unexplored until the twentieth century due to its distant position in the eastern Karakoram.

Guru Shikhar

The highest point of the Aravalli Range, Rajasthan, and Western India is Guru Shikhar, a peak in the Sirohi region of Rajasthan's Arbuda Mountains. It reaches a height of 1,722 meters. The district headquarters are in Sirohi city, 75 km away. Mount Abu is 15 km away, and a road from there goes almost all the way to the top of the mountain. It is known as Guru-Shikhar, or "the peak of the guru," in honour of Dattatreya, a Vishnu avatar, and the summit's cave has temples to both him and his mother, Anasuya, who was the wife of the neighbouring sage Atri.

List of Major Mountain Peaks of India

Here is a table showcasing some of the notable mountain peaks in India, their height, and location −

Mountain Peak

Height (m)

Location

K2

8,611

Pak Occupied Kashmir

Kangchenjunga

8,586

Sikkim

Nanda Devi

7,816

Uttarakhand

Kamet

7,756

Uttarakhand

Trisul

7,120

Uttarakhand

Chaukhamba

7,138

Uttarakhand

Anamudi

2,695

Kerala

Saltoro Kangri

7,742

Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)

Mamostong Kangri

7,516

Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)

Rimo Kangri I

7,385

Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)

Guru Shikhar

1,722

Rajasthan

Conclusion

India is endowed with magnificent mountain peaks that display its stunning natural diversity. These peaks, which range in size from the majestic Kangchenjunga and Nanda Devi to the picturesque Kamet and Trisul, enchant both explorers and nature lovers. The highest points in the nation can be found in Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Ladakh, and Rajasthan, among other places. Each peak has its unique significance and charm, drawing tourists from all over the world to experience its breathtaking magnificence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which one is the highest peak in India?

Located in Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK), K2 is the highest mountain peak of India. The second highest peak in India is Kangchenjunga, standing at 8,586 meters (28,169 feet) in Sikkim.

Where is Nanda Devi located?

Nanda Devi is located in Uttarakhand, India. It is the second-highest peak in India.

What is the height of Anamudi?

Anamudi, situated in Kerala, is the highest peak in South India and the Western Ghats, with a height of 2,695 meters (8,842 feet).

In which state Guru Shikhar is located?

Guru Shikhar, the highest point of the Aravalli Range, is located in Rajasthan, Western India, reaching a height of 1,722 meters (5,650 feet).

Which one is the highest peak of Western Ghats?

Located in Ernakulam district and Idukki district of Kerala, Anamudi is the highest peak in the Western Ghats and in South India. Its elevation is 2,695 metres (8,842).

Which one is the highest peak of Nilgiri Mountain?

Doddabetta is the highest mountain peak in the Nilgiri Mountains. It height is 2,637 metres (8,652 feet). Interestingly, there is a reserved forest area around the peak.

Updated on: 16-Oct-2023

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