- Agastya Mala
Infobox Mountain
Name = Agastya Mala
Photo = AgasthyarkoodamPeak.jpg
Caption = A view of Agastya Mala from the base
Elevation = convert|1868|m|ft|0
Location = Tirunelveli,India
Range =Western Ghats
Prominence =
Coordinates = coord|8|37|N|77|15|E|region:IN_type:mountain
Topographic
Type =
Age =
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Translation = Hill ofAgastya
Language =Malayalam and Tamil
Pronunciation =Agastya Mala (also known as Agastyarkoodam or Agasthyakoodam) is a convert|1868|m|ft|0 peak within
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary in theWestern Ghats ofSouth India . The mountain lies on the border between theIndia n states ofKerala (in Kollam andThiruvananthapuram District ) andTamil Nadu (in Tirunelveli).The perennialThamarabarani River originates from this hill and flows into the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu.Agastya Mala is a
pilgrimage centre for devotees of the Hindu sageAgastya , who is considered to be one of the sevenrishis (Saptarishi ) ofHindu Puranas . TheTamil language is considered to be a boon from Agasthya. There is a full-sized statue of Agastya at the top of the peak and the devotees can offerpuja s themselves.Geography
Agastya Malai is located 32 km from
Neyyar Dam . The major city and airport nearest to Agastya Malai isThiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and itsTrivandrum International Airport , around 61 km away. The nearest railway station isAmbasamudram ,Tirunelveli District .Vegetation
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 the mountain atBrimore ,Bonacaud , andPonmudi .The
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve harbours rare flora and fauna. Tourists are permitted to the area only with permission from the forest department ofKerala . Annual trekking passes to the peak are issued from the forest department during January-February only.Other major rivers which originate from the mountain are the
Karamana River , which flows through theThiruvananthapuram District and is the major source of drinking water to the city, and theNeyyar River (also in the Thiruvananthapuram District).ee also
*
Thamirabarani River
*Tirunelveli
*Papanasam
*Anamudi - Highest peak inWestern Ghats
*Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram References
* [http://www.agasthyakoodam.blogspot.com/ Agasthyakoodam Mountain]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.