Agasthyakoodam The Best Trekking Place In Kerala

Agasthya Mountain is the best place to go trekking In Kerala.  It is one of the beautiful mountain area and this place has been decalred as a reserved forest area by the government recently.
Agasthya Mountain is also referred as Agasthyakoodam and is located about 70 kilometers from Thiruvananthapuram,Agasthyakoodam is the second highest peak in Kerala, at a height of 1890mts above sea level and is a part of the Sahyadri range of mountains.It is 60 Kms North East of Trivandrum.The mountain is revered by both Buddhists and Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara as well as of the sage Agastya, a disciple of Shiva.The mountain lies on the border between the Indian states of Kerala (in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram District) and Tamil Nadu (in Tirunelveli). The perennial Thamarabarani 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 sage Agastya, 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 Agastya at the top of the peak and the devotees can offer pujas themselves. Agasthyar was a sage of Dravidians and is considered to be one of the seven Rishis (Saptharshis) of Hindu mythology. Tamil language is considered to be a boon from Agasthyar.Its height is approximately 1890 meters. Numerous unusual aromatic plants with curative values and exclusive birds are found here.In fact, Agasthyakoodam in Kerala is a bird watcher’s paradise. The best time to enjoy a tour to Agasthyakoodam is from December to April, and after procuring the necessary permission one can also indulge in some trekking in the hills.

Agasthyakoodam, a legendary herbal mountain near Neyyar Dam, 20 kms south of Thiruvananthapuram, has a hoary history as the home of Siddha medicine. Agasthyakoodam is considered to be the abode of sage Agasthya, the foremost among the Siddhars who developed the Siddha medical system.Agasthyakoodam and its surrounding Western Ghats, 1500m above sea level, constitute the hot bed of bio-diversity. Eight percent of the plant species found here is endemic to this region.

Things to remeber:
1) To visit the Agasthyakoodam, we have to get the prior permission from the forest department. The permission is given only between January to mid April.So the trip should be planned accordingly. Need to contact the forest officer and provided the necessary information to them and after scrutinizing the docs, they will give the permission.

2) Should carry food items like bread, biscuits, banana and other snack items.

3) Should carry a minumum of 2 litre water and a powerful toarch.

4) BP patients and heart patients should avoid the trip.

5) It is not advisable ladies to trek due to their security reasons.

6) Better to have 3 days in hand for the entire trip.

7) The overall trekking (walking + trekking) is around 28 KM


                      
   How to Reach Agasthyakoodam, Kerala?
Rail: Thiruvananthapuram central
Rail: Thiruvananthapuram central, at a distance of about 8 km
Air : Nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 3 km away