Agastya Mala - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Coordinates: 837N 7715E

Agastya Mala
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Agasthyarkoodam (Malayalam:
)
(Tamil:

) is a 1,868-metre (6,129 ft)-tall peak within Neyyar
Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats of South India. The
mountain lies in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala
and the Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts of Tamil Nadu.
This peak is a part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
which lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala
(in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram district) and Tamil Nadu
(in Kanyakumari district, Tirunelveli district). The perennial
Thamirabarani River originates from the eastern side of the
range and flows into the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Agasthyarkoodam is a pilgrimage centre for devotees of the
Hindu sage Agastya, who is considered to be one of the seven
rishis (Saptarishi) of Hindu Puranas. The Tamil language is
considered to be a boon from Agasthya. There is a full-sized
statue of Agathiyar at the top of the peak and the devotees can
offer pujas themselves. Agastyar koodam is the capital of the
ayi dynasty; its older names include pothiyan mala and ayi
kudi.

Agasthyarkoodam

A view of Agasthyarkoodam from the base

Elevation

1,868 m (6,129 ft)

Translation

Hill of Agasthya (Tamil)

Location

Contents
1 Geography
2 Trekking routes
3 Vegetation

Agasthyarkoodam

4 Important places
Thiruvananthapuram district, India

4.1 Manjolai Hills

5 See also

Range

Western Ghats

6 References

Coordinates

837N 7715E

Geography
Agasthyarkoodam is 32 km from Neyyar Dam and 23 km from Bonacaud, near Ponmudi. The major city and
airport nearest to Agasthyarkoodam is Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and its Trivandrum International
Airport, around 61 km away. The nearest railway station is Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu.
The trekking path, nearly 35 km, is from Bonacaud.
Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is part of the Agasthyarkoodam range. Part of the peak can be seen from

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the Upper Kodayar region.

A view of the Agasthyamalai range

from Upper Kodayar

Other major rivers which originate from the mountain are the Karamana River, which flows through the
Thiruvananthapuram district and is the major source of drinking water to the city, and the Neyyar River (also in
the Thiruvananthapuram district).

Trekking routes
The peak of Agasthyarkoodam can be reached only by trekking up to it.
Trekking is allowed based on strict guidelines and is open to pilgrims
during January to mid-March. Trekking passes are issued by Kerala
Forest Department from the district office at Trivandrum.[1] The trekking
route starts from Bonacaud. The route "Neyyar-Agasthyakoodam" is not
open to the public.

Vegetation
Athirumala Base Station in Agastya
The lower elevations of this peak are known for their abundance of rare
Mala
herbs and medicinal plants. Around 2,000 medicinal plants used in
Ayurvedic treatments are found here. Europeans, particularly those from
England, were the first to establish tea gardens around the base stations of the mountain at Brimore, Bonacaud,
and Ponmudi.

The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve harbours rare flora and fauna. Tourists are permitted to the area only with
permission from the forest department of Kerala. Annual trekking passes to the peak are issued from the forest
department during JanuaryFebruary only.

Important places
Manjolai Hills
Between elevations ranging from 1000 to 1500 metres, the Manjolai area is set deep within the Western Ghats
within the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District. Located on top of the Manimuthar
Dam and the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area has tea plantations, small settlements around the tea
plantations, Upper Kodaiyar Dam, and a windy view point called Kuthiravetti.
The tea plantations and the whole of Manjolai Estates are operated by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation
Ltd on forest lands leased by the singampatti zamin. There are three tea estates in the Manjolai area Manjolai

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Estate, Manimutharu Estate, and Oothu Estate. The estates are on elevations
ranging between 2,300 and 4,200 feet (701 and 1,280 m). The estates, road, and
the settlements in the Manjolai area are managed by the Bombay Burmah
Trading Corporation Ltd.

See also
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
Thamirabarani River
Tirunelveli

Murti of Agasthya Muni at the

top of Agasthyamalai hill

Papanasam
Anamudi - Highest peak in Western Ghats
Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram
[2]

References
^ Trekking pass (http://news.entecity.com/passes-for-visiting-agasthyakoodam-from-january-9/)
^ "Kerala News : Crocodile park sheds Steve Irwins name" (http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories
/2009060656400400.htm). The Hindu. 2009-06-06. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
^ "Kerala govt removes Steve Irwin's name from croc park - India - DNA" (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1262384
/report-kerala-govt-removes-steve-irwin-s-name-from-croc-park). Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 2013-10-20.

Agasthya Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre

(http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm)

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