The Mukurti peak is the most notable peak of the Nilgiris. It is located off the Gudalur road. It is noticeable because of its curious shape, which is that of an acute-angled triangle with one side almost vertical. The view from the peak is one of the finest in South India.

The peak’s name in Kannada means ‘cutnose’ and is believed by the local people to be the nose of Ravana’s sister Surpanaka, whose nose was cut by Lakshmana.

The peak is sacred to the Toda tribes of the Nilgiris. According to a legend, when female infanticide was prevalent among the todas, the babies were taken to this side of the hill and killed. Toda women were forbidden to this side of the hill. As one of the women disobeyed, her nose was cut off as punishment. This nose turned into the peak and she became a goddess. Even today, the Todas believe that the souls of men and buffaloes leap together into the other world from the summit of the Mukurti peak.

The peak forms a part of the Mukurti National Park, which is home to an array of endangered wildlife including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant and the Nilgiri Thar.

(Source: http://nilgiris.nic.in/nationalpark.htm)