Annapurna (Sanskrit, Nepali, Nepal Bhasa) is a section of the
Himalayas in north-central Nepal that includes 8,091 m (26,545 ft) Annapurna I,
thirteen additional peaks over 7,000 m (22,970 ft) and 16 more over 6,000 m
(19,690 ft)This section is a 55 km-long (34 mi-long) massif bounded by the Kali
Gandaki Gorge on the west, the Marshyangdi River on the north and east, and
Pokhara Valley on the south. Annapurna I is tenth among Earth's fourteen
eight-thousanders. 8167 meter Dhaulagiri I raise 34 km to the west across the
Kali Gandaki Gorge, considered Earth's deepest canyon.
Annapurna is a Sanskrit name which literally means "full of
food" (feminine form), but is normally translated as Goddess of the
Harvests. In Hinduism, Annapurna is "... the universal and timeless
kitchen-goddess ... the mother who feeds. Without her there is starvation, a
universal fear: This makes Annapurna a universal goddess ... Her most popular
shrine is located in Kashi, on the banks of the river Ganga." Her
association with the giving of food (wealth) led her in time to be transformed
into Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.
The entire massif and surrounding area are protected within the
7,629 km2 Annapurna Conservation Area, the first and largest conservation area
in Nepal. The Annapurna Conservation Area is home to several world-class treks,
including the Annapurna Circuit.
The Annapurna peaks are among the world's most dangerous
mountains to climb, although in more recent history, using figures from only
1990 and after, Kangchenjunga has a higher fatality rate.As of the end of
2009, there had been 157 summit ascents of Annapurna I, and 60 climbing
fatalities on the mountain. This fatality-to-summit ratio (38%) is the highest
of any of the eight-thousanders. In particular, the ascent via the south face
is considered, by some, the most difficult of all climbs.
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