Agastya Mala (also known as Agastyarkoodam) is a 1,868 metres (6,129 ft) peak in the Western Ghats of South India. The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala (in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram District) and Tamil Nadu (in Tirunelveli). The perennial river Thamiarabarni originate from this hill and flows in tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
Agastya Mala is a pilgrimage centre for devotees of the Hindu sage Agasthya, 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 Agasthya at the top of the peak and the devotees can offer pujas themselves.
Rare herbs and medicinal plants
The lower elevations of this peak are also known for their abundance of rare herbs and medicinal plants. Around 2,000 medical 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 Agasthyarkoodam 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 treking passes to the peak are issued from the forest department during January-February seasons only other major rivers which originate fron the agasthyamala are karamana river which flows through trivandrum and is the major source of drinking water to the city, the neyyar (both in trivandrum district),kulitharaaaru(thamaraparani of kanyakumari dist.)
Geography
A view of the Agasthyamalai range from the Tirunelveli rainshadow region to the east.
Agastya Malai is located 32 km from Neyyar Dam. The major city and airport nearest to Agastya Malai is Thiruvananthapuram(Trivandrum) and its Trivandrum International Airport, around 61 km away. The nearest railway station is Ambasamudramof Tirunelveli District.
See also
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