Agasthyarkoodam- the bird watcher’s paradise- is a tall peak in the Western Ghats of South India. The peak was named after the ancient sage Agasthya. His pilgrimage site is located here and is frequently visited by devotees. This is that internationally recognized and famous trekking trail that gave way to the famous “Trekker Ammumma”- the 71 year old Visalakshi Amma who embarked on a hike to the peak of Agasthyarkoodam and almost successfully finished the hike.
The peak is part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, which straddles the state line between Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram district) and Tamil Nadu (Tirunelveli district). In March 2016, UNESCO added Agastayamala Biosphere Reserve to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Views of Agathyarkoodam can be seen from both Neyyar Dam and Bonacaud. Apart from its remarkable flora and fauna, Agasthyakoodam is also well known for its rare medicinal plants. The air itself is said to be therapeutic. More than 2000 species of lichen, orchids, mosses and ferns have been recorded in the area. It takes 90 minutes to reach the peak, with Bonacaud the last motorable spot. And there is a restriction on trekking as only a few people can go up to the peak. It is required to obtain a forest pass from the wildlife office in Thiruvananthapuram between January and April in order to trek in this area.
Hills of Manjolai
Manjolai is a mountainous region ranging in altitude from 1000 to 1500 metres, situated deep in the Western Ghats in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tirunelveli District. In addition to the Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area features tea plantations, small settlements around the tea plantations, and Upper Kodaiyar Dam with a windy viewpoint called Kuthiravetti. It is Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd who manages the estates, roads, and settlements in the Manjolai area.
History:
Agasthyarkoodam was previously forbidden to women until November 2018. As a result of a court ruling that removed the prohibition, Dhanya Sanal, an Indian Information Service officer, became the first woman to scale the peak in 2019. Since the law changed, more than 100 other women have applied for a permit to climb this peak. Hindu Puranas consider Agastya as one of the seven rishis (Saptarishi) of Hindu mythology. Agastyarkoodam is a pilgrimage centre for devotees of the Hindu sage Agastya. According to Tamil tradition, Agastya is credited with developing the Tamil language and composing the first Tamil grammar, called Agattiyam or Akattiyam. Those who wish to offer poojas to Agathiyar can do so at a small stone statue atop the peak.
Contact Details : Wildlife Warden: +91 471 2362291
Getting there :
Nearest railway station: Thiruvananthapuram Central, around 61 km from Bonacaud.
Nearest airport: Trivandrum International Airport, around 69 km from Bonacaud.
