Extreme Points of India

Extremes of India
Extreme Points of India
Extremes of India
Extreme Points of India

Finally, the people who see the world in black and white, love extremities, and are just naturally inclined to go to paramount heights, have something for them in here. You’ll naturally like this blog talking about extremities. India has a fair share of its extreme points, ranging from the coldest place to lowest point on the surface. So, let’s just absorb this vital information about our country already. Shall we?

Highest Point: K2

Being in line just next to Mount Everest, K2 is India’s highest and world’s second highest mountain. It is standing tall at 8,611 metres above sea level. The mountain is, however, pretty dangerous. It is famously (notoriously?) known as the ‘Savage Mountain’. If you decide to take up the accent, there are 25% chances you’ll die doing so! So far, it has a record 77 fatalities. Among the mountains which have the height above 8,000, it records the second highest fatality rate. But, don’t let us discourage you anymore. It’s a free world. Make your trip there… or not.

Lowest Point: Kuttanad, Kerala

This region is 2.2 m below the sea level. It is mainly known for its geographical peculiarities and endless paddy fields. Its geography gives a twist to the farming practices there. The region is one of the few in the whole world that does farming about 1.2 to 3 metres below the sea level. Their farming system is counted among the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)! How cool is that! Other than that, you can come around here as a tourist as well. This is a beautiful place to visit in the God’s own country.

Coldest Place: Dras, Jammu and Kashmir

How cold is too cold? The ultra-cold temperatures of Dras would change your whole perception about what cold really is or would just give it a new meaning (an intense one) altogether. With averages hovering around −20 °C in winters, you’ll have the most frosty, chilly experience of your life. However, there are surely so many things you can do other than just standing there freezing. The place bloomed into an attractive tourist place after the Kargil War. People are especially interested in seeing the war zone. Can’t blame them, can you?

Hottest Place: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

What do you expect from the hottest city in the country? Deserts? What color comes to mind? Yellow-ish? Well, Jaisalmer is about right out of our imagination. ‘The Golden city’ is in the heart of the Thar Desert. Being a desert area, temperatures often swing to extremes! In peak summers, the temperatures here can linger around 49 °C. Apparently, a temperature of 52.4 °C was also reached once, near the region close to Pakistan. Feeling motivated to visit there? We’re not helping, I know, but here’s something. It’s a World Heritage Site. And, there are numerous forts here sculptured finely in sandstone which can channel your inner art connoisseur instantly. Don’t forget to visit the ancient Jaisalmer Fort either. It has a royal palace inside it!

Driest Place: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir

Another gem from Jammu and Kashmir, Leh is the place which receives the least rainfall in the entire country. Interestingly, both driest and coldest place lies in the northernmost state of the country. The yearly rainfall here is just 102 mm. However, there is an irony to the place. The driest place got heavily flooded in 2010 due to a cloudburst (Imagine a bucket full of water poured on an ant. That kind of effect, you know). Speechless, really.

Wettest Place: Mawsynram, Meghalaya

Love those unpredictable drizzles, sudden downpours or that uncalled for hails? If yes, then head to this East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, which is not only the wettest place in India but apparently the whole planet! Reportedly, the place receives 11,872 millimetres of rain on an average. And in case you didn’t notice, the showery climate is an open invitation to dig in hot spicy food all the time. BTW shout out to all those pluviophiles. Your love for the rain will be tested here for good.

So, these were all the extreme points in India. Which do you feel is worth a visit? Tell us in the comment section below.