AGASTHYAKOODAM MOUNTAIN

Discover the true nature

Agasthya Mountain is also referred as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram, capital city of Kerala State in India. It is located at a height of 1,868 meters (6129 feet) above mean sea level. The peak is the second highest peak in Kerala, South India. Agasthyakoodam peak is in the form of a sharp cone and is considered a heaven of rare herbs and Medicinal plants. A valuable and rare herb by name ‘Arogyapacha’ (Plant of eternal health) is attracting the attention of modern researchers to this hill.

Elevation 1868 meters Location Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Range Western Ghats

Agastyakoodam is the source of the Perennial River Thamiarabarni. The river flows in Tirunelveli District of Tamilnadu. Peppara wild life Sanctuary, a part of Agastyakoodam Forests is in Thiruvananthapuram district. The Peppara Dam was constructed across the river Karamana in 1984. The main purpose of the Dam is to effect water supply to the Thiruvananthapuram city and suburban areas. Agastyakoodam is highly respected by both the Hindus as well as the Buddhists. This is because the Hindus believe that this mountain is the home of Sage ‘Agastya’; transitelerated as Agathiar or Agastyar. He is in some ways regarded as the patron saint of much of the south India. Some say that it was the Sage ‘Agastya’ who first brought and popularized the Vedic religion to South India. Agastya is considered to be one of the seven ‘Rishis’ (Saptarshi) of Hindu ‘Puranas’. Buddhists think that Agastya Mountain is the abode of Bodhisatva Avalokiteswara.

Tour to Agastyakoodam

How to reach Agasthya Mountain?

If you plan to take the trek, your journey starts at Thiruvananthapuram Central Bus Station (KSRTC, Thampanoor Bus Terminal). The first direct State bus to Bonacaud starts at 5 a.m. The next best option is to take a bus to Vithura, a small town a few kilometers away from Bonacaud, and get to Bonacaud in a private vehicle. A 15 minute walk from Bonacaud bus stop will take you to the Forest Office, which is the entry point to Agasthyarkoodam Biosphere Reserve. After registering your details and checking the permit passes, you will be frisked for hidden bottles of liquor as alcohol is banned in the forest. You can buy food from the office.

Trekking

Trekking is permitted only in the months of December, January, February and March. Trekking Path is surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Meadows and streams, reed groves, ‘bonsai’ type trees clinging to the hillsides, the lonely walkway in the woods; the only sound you hear during the trek are the swish of the trees, gurgle of water in the unison and the sweet warbling of birds. The lower elevations of this peak are also known for their abundance of rare herbs and Medicinal plants. Covering an area of 23sq. Km, the park was established in the year1992 with the objective of restoring plant life. At distance of 28km need to be covered to reach the top and that takes about two days. Though the climb is steep and arduous, this trail is ideal for even a first time trekker.

Around 2,000 medicinal plants used in ‘Ayurvedic’ treatments are found here. So a visit to the Agastya ‘Vanam’ (Malayalam word which means Forest) Biological park will be very interesting. You will get to see a large number of rare trees. Before reaching the sole shelter in the jungle built for trekkers at Athirumala, one has to cross three rivers- Karamana, Vaazhapindiyar and Attyar.

But only a few know that down stream the Attayar, there is a big waterfall known as ‘Bona’ Falls. The tourists can also visit the water falls at Bonacaud. It will be totally different experience.

Trekkers have to rely on the canteen run by the Forest Department for food. The menu includes ‘uppumavu’ ‘poori’, ‘puttu’ etc. for breakfast, meal for lunch and rice gruel at night. Tea with ‘baji’ and ‘vada’ is available in the evening. The accommodation here is provided by the Forest Department. They also issues mats on rent. Drinking water is available in plenty in the forest, but you must carry bottles to store water. Trekking On the top Bonafalls

Precautions in the Jungle

Dos and Don’ts

1	Silence and discipline pay.
2	Do not wear colorful cloths and perfumes.
3	Carry bottles to store water.
4	Do not disturb animals.
5	Trekkers must use jungle boots for safety.
6	Carry medicines for common ailments.
7	Do not throw litter around including food.
8	Do not travel alone.
9	Do not take away anything from the Biosphere Reserve.
10	Do not use liquor.

Tickets/Passes have to be obtained from
The wild life Warden, Forest Department, PTP Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Phone: 0471 2360762	Ticket Tariff Rs. 200/-

Rare Herbs and Medicinal Plants in the Agastyamala Biosphere Reserve

The Agastyakoodam Biosphere Reserve harbours rare Flora and Fauna. The mountain region houses a vast diversity of plants, animals,and the wonderful world of insects and birds. Flora and Fauna of the region are remarkably diverse. This area is an abode of a number of medicinal-herbs.
	Mushroom	Beetle
	Eggfly	Blue Tiger

‘Aroggya pacha’ (Trichopus zeylanicus) which is widely distributed, became cynosure of the scientific world recently and one of the much sought after tribal medicinal herbs, is a notable feature of this area.

A large number of threatened species of flowering plants are also identified here with twelve percent endemicity. Preponderance of orchids is another peculiarity of this Biosphere Reserve.

		Animals like Elephant, Tiger, Gaur, Sambar deer, Wild boar, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Sloth bear, Wild dog, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Toddy cat, Pangolin leopard, porcupine etc. are common in this Biosphere Reserve.
Rare Flora and Fauna.

Apart from the animals, life in the Agastya Mountain region is greatly influenced by the numerous birds and reptiles. Migratory birds are seasonal visitors and reach the forest to breed or use the forest trees for short stays before flying off to farther destinations.

The Agastya mountain region is known to show exceptionally high levels of abundance among plants, many of which are restricted in their distribution. The mountain region receiving intense rains for more than six months, a few evergreen trees like Cullenia Exarillata, Palaquium Elliptioum and Aglaia elacagnoidea dominate the vegetation. Studies have been conducted to document the flora in and around the jungle.

The report reveals that there are over 170 species of plants in undisturbed forests, which includes over 75 species of canopy trees, 50 species of shrubs and nearly 25 species of lianas and herbs. Clinging on the branches of Cullenia and Elaecarpus tuberculatus one may see exotic orchids of which there are 25 and more species.

Reptiles found here include the Green Calottes, Skinks(The Common Blue-tailed skink is found only in the Western Ghats), and snakes like the Bamboo Pit Viper, Shield-Tailed Ocellate, Vine Snake, Rat Snake and the Cobra. Beautiful butterflies add color and Vibrancy to the forest flora, as they dance between the wild flowers.

Trekking for a healthy body
According to the American Heart association, people tend to gain in between 2.5 to 5kg of unwanted weight during a vacation/holiday. So you can maintain your weight during the trekking time. During this time you will get pure water and air without any cost!

Accessing Agastya Mountain in South India

Location	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Range	Western Ghats
Telephone Access Code	+91 471
Nearest Airport	Thiruvananthapuram Enquiries: Domestic :04712501537 International: 0471 2501542
Indian Airlines	City Office, Mascot Junction, Trivandrum-33 Enquiry: 04712317341 Telephone Reservation: 0471 2725201
Air India	Reservation and Enquiry: 0471 2310310
Nearest Railway Stations	Thiruvananthapuram Central Reservation & Enquiry: 132 General Enquiry: 131 Station Manager: 2321568 Thiruvananthapuram- Pettah Phone: 0471 2470181 Varkala Phone: 0470 2602222
Road	Well connected by roads from Thiruvananthapuram KSRTC,Thiruvananthapuram. Phone: 0471 2462829 Web:www.keralartc.com
Tourist Information Offices	Address: Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. P.B.No.5424, Mascot Square, Vikas Bhavan.P.O, Thiruvananthapuram. Website: www.ktdc.com www.keralatourism.org Tourist Resorts: www.trkl.co.in
Wild life Information	Wildlife Warden, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Phone:+91 0471 2360762
Accommodation in Tour to Agastya Mountain	When on a tour to Agastya mountain it is best to reside in the hotels in Thiruvananthapuram. A few of the hotels where you are sure to have a very comfortable stay are Mascot Hotel(KTDC Group of Hotel) Hotel Chaithram (KTDC Group of Hotel) etc.
Government Guest Houses in Trivandrum
Guest House, Thiruvananthapuram	0471 2324561 0471 2329869
Guest House, Ponmudi	0472 2890230 0472 2890311
Guest House, Kovalam	0471 2480146
Guest House, Attingal	0470 2622290
Guest House, Varkala	0470 2602227

Who was Agastya or Agasthyar?

In Hindu Religion Agastya is considered as the first and foremost person of “Siddha” (Siddhas are saints in India). He is considered as the guru of many other siddhas. He is also called Kurumuni (‘Kuru’ means short, ‘Muni’ means saint) His contributions were to the field of Medicine (Siddha is also a form of medical treatment of curing diseases using herbs.

According to legend, Tamil, an Indian language was a gift from the sage Agastya to mankind, and he was also the first grammarian in Tamil language. Malayalam,the language of Kerala, is believed to have evolved from Tamil much later.

Agastya is said to have lived for over 5000 years, and that one of his medicinal preparations. Agasstya was a great devotee of Lord ‘Siva’. Lord ‘Siva’ himself taught the classical Tamil language to Agastya.

Legends about Agastya

One story about Agastya goes that once the demons had taken refuge in the ocean and it was difficult for the gods to vanquish them, so they went to sage Agastya for help. Then after hearing the Gods, Agastya drank the entire ocean water and withheld it within him until the demons were destroyed.