Question

The highest peak in the Eastern Ghats is ___________________.
(A) Anamudi
(B) Kanchenjunga
(C) Mahendragiri
(D) Khasi

Answer 1

Hint: Along India’s eastern coast the Eastern Ghats are a discontinuous range of mountains. The Eastern Ghats are from the northern Odisha through Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south and some parts of Karnataka as well as Telangana. Mahendragiri is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats which is in Rayagada, subdivision of the district of Gajapati, Odisha, India.

Complete answer:
Mahendragiri is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats. Mahendragiri is a mountain situated amongst the Eastern Ghats at an elevation of 1501 metres (4925ft) which is in Rayagada subdivision of the district of Gajapati, Odisha, India. The history of Mahendragiri is connected with Ramayana as Mahendra Parvata and also in the Ramayana and Puranas it is mentioned that Lord Parashurama was meditating on Mahendragiri while Lord Rama broke the sacred bow of Lord Shiva. It is said that the temples at Mahendragiri, built by Pandavas are still seen there and the main festival celebrated at Mahendragiri is Shivratri. Mahendragiri is the second highest peak of Odisha after Deomali in Koraput district. Due to its numerous medicinal plants and other species Mahendragiri hill and its surrounding areas are recognized as a biodiversity hotspot. Mahendragiri is a place of great scenic beauty where the Mahendratanaya River flows down from the mountain through Mandasa and joins the Bay of Bengal at Barura. Mahendragiri is surrounded by hills from 3 sides and the hill has very rich biodiversity where 642 species of flowering plants are found with 37 species of orchids, 58 species of flowerless plants and 5 species of lichens along with various other species.

Therefore, Option C is the correct answer.

Note: Mahendragiri is the highest peak in the Eastern Ghats which is in Rayagada, subdivision of the district of Gajapati, Odisha, India and due its biodiversity is known as the biodiversity hotspot.