Agastya Mala

The 1868-meter-tall Agastyakoodam, also called Agastya Mala Mountain, is Kerala's second-highest peak. Agastyakoodam is a section of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve within the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary and is home to breathtaking scenery. Orchids of various shades of purple blanket the slopes of this summit in the Sahyadris, which are part of the Western Ghats. The area is ideal for those who enjoy watching birds because many exotic migratory birds fly over the region. 

Being a protected area, it is a great place to observe wildlife in its natural habitat, unspoiled by human development. The gigantic summit is named after the Hindu philosopher Agastya and is also a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims. The Hindu community comes to the peak to pray and perform puja at his statue on the peak. 

The mountains are home to a variety of ecosystems, including evergreen and deciduous forests, grassy meadows, and craggy peaks. More than two thousand distinct species of highly valuable medicinal plants have been discovered in the foothills. European settlers are credited with planting the first tea gardens in the region, which can be found at lower altitudes. 

How to explore Agastya Mala? 

• The region is rich in avifauna and is a prime location for birdwatchers interested in seeing rare and uncommon species. 
• There are also forty-three species of mammals, such as tigers, sambars, barking deer, leopards, sloth bears, Nilgiri langurs, Nilgiri tigers, and Nilgiri tahrs, among others, and forty-five species of reptiles and forty kinds of fish in the forests around the routes. During your hike near the Athirumala Base Camp, you may encounter a herd of elephants. 
• The trekking routes to Agastya Mala Peak are only accessible between the months of January and March. The one-way distance of the walk is 28 kilometers, making it clear that only those in good physical condition should attempt it. There are two trails that lead to the summit. However, the one that starts in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is off-limits to the general public. Bonacaud is the starting point for the alternative route. There is a base station located in Bonacaud, which is fifty kilometers from Trivandrum.