Agastya Mala
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| Agasthyarkoodam | |
|---|---|
A view of Agasthyarkoodam from the base
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| Elevation | 1,868 m (6,129 ft) |
| Translation | Hill of Agasthya (Malayalam) |
| Location | |
 
Agasthyarkoodam
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| Range | Western Ghats |
| Coordinates | 8°37′N 77°15′ECoordinates: 8°37′N 77°15′E |
Agasthyarkoodam (Tamil: அகத்தியமலை அல்லது அகத்தியக் கூடம்) (Malayalam: അഗസ്ത്യകൂടം) is a 1,868-metre (6,129 ft)-tall peak within Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats of South India. The mountain lies inThiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. This peak is a part of Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve which lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala (inKollam 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 shrine was installed under the auspices of the Chenkottukonam MadathipathiJagadguru Swami Sathyananda Saraswathi Thiruvadikal who entered the forests with the right wing Hindu Aikya Vedi activists and his followers including those from the Kani tribe desecrated a cross erected by Christians.[1] 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. The crocodile park in Kerala is name Agasthya Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre. Agastyar koodam is the capital of ayi dynastyits older names pothiyan mala, ayi kudi
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[hide]Geography[edit]
Agasthyarkoodam is 32 km from Neyyar Dam and 29 km from Bonacaud, nearPonmudi. The major city and airport nearest to Agasthyarkoodam isThiruvananthapuram (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 the Upper Kodayar region.
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[edit]
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.[2] The trekking route starts from Bonacaud. The route "Neyyar-Agasthyakoodam" is not open to the public.
Vegetation[edit]
The lower elevations of this peak are known for their abundance of rare 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 January–February only.
Important places[edit]
Manjolai Hills[edit]
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 government of Tamil Nadu. There are three tea estates in the Manjolai area — Manjolai 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.
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