Pothigai

The "Pothigai" Malai (hill), also known as the Agasthiyar Malai, is in the Ashambu hills, part of the Annamalai Hills in the Western Ghats of Southern India. Legend says that Sage Agastya (also written as Agasthiyar or Agathiyar) created the Tamil language here.

Geography

The Pothigai hill is in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. At 1,866 meters, it is the highest peak in the rugged Ashambu hills, which have one of the richest concentrations of biodiversity in the Western Ghats [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2209/stories/20050506000106500.htm The Hindu: Ashambu Heritage hills] ] . The area is known for its spectacular views, beautiful forests and waterfalls, ancient temples and the river Tamirabarani, the lifeline of the region.

Legend

According to the Mahābhārata [ [http://indianheartbeat.fws1.com/agathiyar.htm Biography of Sage Agathiyar] ] , Lord Shiva (or Lord Murugan?) sent the two saints (or sages) Vyasa and Agastya to create the divine languages Sanskrit and Tamil. Agastya came to Pothagai and established the Tamil culture. The Tamil spoken in the Tirunelveli district is considered to be very pure.

After establishing the Sidhar Gnana Koodam center for scientific research, and later traveling throughout the world spreading the knowledge gained, Agastya returned to a spot called Dashina Meru in the Pothagai hills, where he merged into the cosmos. A temple has been built for him at this spot, close to the Papanasam Falls on the banks of the Thamiraparani River. It is said that Sage Agastya occasionally gives appearances to sincere aspirants and devotees.

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