ZFMOtis800669 at 05:17, 21 March 2026

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{{Short description|Mountain in Tamilnadu, Southern India}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Agathiyar Malai
| image = Agasthyarkoodam.JPG
| image_size = 280px
| image_caption = A view of Agastyaarkoodam from the base
| elevation_m = 1869
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m = 1,510
| prominence_ref= <ref>{{cite web | url=https://worldribus.org/indian-subcontinent/ | title=Indian Subcontinent - World Ribus | date=17 April 2025 }}</ref>
| listing = [[Ultra-prominent peak|Ultra]], Ribu
| location = [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| range = [[Western Ghats]]
| map = India
| range_coordinates =
| coordinates = {{coord|8|36|58.64|N|77|14|44.62|E|type:mountain_region:IN_scale:100000|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Agathiyar Malai''' (or '''Agasthiyarkoodam''') is one of the peaks of the [[Agathiyarmalai Biosphere Reserve]] in the [[Western Ghats]] that lies between the districts of [[Tirunelveli District]] of [[Tamil Nadu]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram District]] of [[Kerala]], [[India]].<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Agasthyamalai/@8.6088806,77.2442024,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3b044a7eaa5b040f:0x7816ced6458f2c6f!8m2!3d8.6163066!4d77.2460479 Google Maps]</ref> This peak is specifically located in the [[Thiruvananthapuram district]] of [[Kerala]], near the Tamil Nadu border. It is 1,868-metres (6,129 ft) tall.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}. The perennial [[Thamirabarani River]] originates from the eastern side of the range and flows into the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. The rivers flowing westwards through the district of [[Thiruvananthapuram]] in [[Kerala]] are the [[Karamana River]] and the [[Neyyar river]].

Agastyaarkoodam is a major trekking spot in the southern end of the [[Western Ghats]]. It is also considered as a pilgrimage spot for devotees of the Hindu sage [[Agastya]], who is considered to be one of the seven [[rishis]] ([[Saptarishi]]) of [[Hindu]] [[Puranas]]. In Tamil traditions, Agastya is considered as the father of the [[Tamil language]] and the compiler of the first Tamil grammar called [[Agattiyam]] or Akattiyam.<ref>[Richard S Weiss 2009, pp. 50–51, 81–82] and [Klaus Klostermaier (2003), A Concise Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Oxford: Oneworld Publications; {{ISBN|1-85168-175-2}}, page 17]</ref> There is a small stone statue of Agathiyar at the top of the peak where one can offer flowers as offerings to the mystical sage considered as a “Chiranjeevi” which means [[Immortality|immortal]].

Agasthyamala [[Biosphere Reserve]] is among 20 new sites added by [[UNESCO]] to its [[World Network of Biosphere Reserves]] in March 2016. The International Co-ordinating Council added the new sites during a two-day meeting on 19 March 2016 in Lima, bringing the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries, including 16 transboundary sites. The [[Nature reserve|biosphere reserve]] includes close to 300 rare bird species and more than 200 medicinal plants endemic to this region.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/indias-agasthyamala-listed-among-20-world-biosphere-reserves/articleshow/51491925.cms | title=UNESCO added Agasthya Mala to its World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016 | date=21 March 2016 | newspaper=The Economic Times | agency=PTI | access-date=12 July 2016 }}</ref>

== Name ==
Named after the sage [[Agastya]], the official Survey of India name for the mountain is '''''Agastya Mala''''' (Malayalam: അഗസ്ത്യ മല, lit. ''Mount Agastya'').

The mountain is also known as '''''Agastyarkoodam''''' (Malayalam: അഗസ്ത്യകൂടം, lit. ''the abode of Agastya'') and '''''Agastya Malai''''' (Tamil: அகத்தியமலை, lit. ''Agastya Hill'').

==Geography==
Agasthya malai is 32 km from [[Neyyar Dam]] and 22 km from [[Bonacaud]], near [[Ponmudi|Vithura & Ponmudi]]. The major city and airport nearest to Agastyaarkoodam is [[Thiruvananthapuram]] and its [[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport]], around 61 km away. The nearest railway stations are Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala and [[Ambasamudram]], [[Tirunelveli District]], Tamil Nadu. The trekking path, nearly 22 km, is from [[Bonacaud]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

[[Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve]] is part of the [[Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve|Agastyaarkoodam range]]. Part of the peak can be seen from the Upper Kodayar region.
[[File:A view of the Agasthyamalai range from Upper Kodayar.jpg|thumb|center|A view of the Agasthyamalai range from Upper Kodayar]]
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).{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

=== Trekking routes ===
[[File:Athirumala Base Station in Agastya Mala.jpg|thumb|Athirumala Base Station in Agastya Mala]]
The peak of Agastyaarkoodam<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xploresouth.in/2011/09/agasthyarkoodamagasthyamala-heaven-for.html|title=Agastyaarkoodam-Agasthyamala- heaven for trekkers-hill station-Bird watchers paradise-reserve forest in Kerala - XploreSouth|work=xploresouth.in|access-date=26 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927085125/http://www.xploresouth.in/2011/09/agasthyarkoodamagasthyamala-heaven-for.html|archive-date=27 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> can be reached only by trekking up to it. Trekking<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralatripguide.com/thiruvananthapuram/agasthyakoodam-trek.html|title=Agasthyakoodam Trek|work=keralatripguide.com}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.entecity.com/passes-for-visiting-agasthyakoodam-from-january-9/|title=Passes for visiting Agasthyakoodam from January 9|work=EnteCity News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/no-plastic-this-time-to-agasthyarkoodam-trek-starts-15-jan-|title=No Plastic This Time To Agastyaarkoodam; Trek Starts 15 Jan - Trivandrum News - Yentha.com|work=yentha.com}}</ref> The trekking route starts from [[Bonacaud]]. The route "Neyyar-Agasthyakoodam" is not open to the public.

Vehicles reach only till [[Bonacaud]] which is around 50 km from [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The trek to the peak is 20 km long from [[Bonacaud]] and requires two days. The first part of the trek can be started from the base station [[Bonacaud]] in the early morning and is 14 km through the forest to the camp. Elephants and wild bulls are in abundance in this part, especially in the evenings. The final part i.e. the 6 km long trek can be done from the camp and crossing the border enters Tamil Nadu to reach the top of Agathyakoodam mountain on the second day.
[[File:An old rock broken apart by nature in Agasthyamala before reaching Agasthya muni idol.jpg|center|thumb|An old rock broken apart by nature in Agasthyamala before reaching Agasthya muni idol.]]
[[File:Agasthyakoodamtrek.jpg|thumb|Agasthyakoodam Trek Route]]

==Vegetation==
{{Unreferenced section |date=June 2024}}
The lower elevations of this peak are known for their abundance of rare herbs and medicinal plants. Around 2,000 medicinal plants used in [[Siddha|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.

[[File:Agasthyamuni.jpg|right|thumb|180px|[[Murti]] of Agasthya Muni at the top of [[Agasthyamalai]] hill]]

==Manjolai Hills==
{{Unreferenced section |date=June 2024}}
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 singampatti zamin. There are three tea estates in the Manjolai area — Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate, and Oothu Estate. The estates are on elevations ranging between {{convert|2300|and|4200|ft|m|abbr=out|0}}. The estates, road, and the settlements in the Manjolai area are managed by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd.

== Former status prohibiting women ==
Prior to November 2018, women were forbidden to climb Agastyaarkoodam by the local [[Kani tribe|Kani]] tribe. After a court ruling which removed the prohibition, a woman, Dhanya Sanal — an [[Indian Information Service]] officer — reached the peak in 2019, becoming the first woman known to make the climb. Since the change in the law, more than 100 other women have registered for a license to make the climb.<ref>{{cite web|last=Regan |first=Helen |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/17/asia/india-woman-mountain-kerala-intl/index.html |title=Indian woman is first to climb Kerala mountain reserved for men - CNN |publisher=CNN |date=2019-01-18 |access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve]]
* [[Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education]]
* [[Thamirabarani River]]
* [[Tirunelveli]]
* [[Papanasam]]
* [[Anamudi]] - Highest peak in [[Western Ghats]]
* [[Tourism in Thiruvananthapuram]]

==References==
{{Reflist|
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1262384/report-kerala-govt-removes-steve-irwin-s-name-from-croc-park |title=Kerala govt removes Steve Irwin's name from croc park - India - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |access-date=2013-10-20}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222330/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-09 |title=Kerala News : Crocodile park sheds Steve Irwin's name |date=2009-06-06 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2013-10-20}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121109222330/http://www.hindu.com/2009/06/06/stories/2009060656400400.htm Agasthya Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre]
*[https://touristinindia.com/agasthyarkoodam-trekking-agasthyamalai/ Information on Agasthyarkoodam Trekking or Agasthyamalai Trekking ]
{{Western Ghats}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}

[[Category:Mountains of the Western Ghats]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Thiruvananthapuram district]]
[[Category:Tourism in Kerala]]
[[Category:Mountains of Kerala]]
[[Category:Geography of Thiruvananthapuram district]]

Agastya Mala - Revision history

ZFMOtis800669 at 05:17, 21 March 2026