Agasthyarkoodam

Agasthyarkoodam is located 70 kms from Thiruvananthapuram. There are rare herbs and medicinal plants and is a forest area believed to have been the abode of sage Agasthya. Around 2100 varieties of rare plants, medicinal herbs, orchids can be found in the mountain base. It also has a variety of wildlife and birds. This biosphere has a unique microclimate which helps the growth of many plants which cannot be found elsewhere. There are also tea plantations at the base stations. This is an ideal place for trekking and the spectacular peak in the Western Ghats rises to a majestic 1890 m in the form of a sharp cone. Women are not allowed up the peak as it is believed that sage Agasthya, a mythological character who lived here was a confirmed bachelor, and hence they dislike the presence of women. A haven of rare herbs and medicinal plants, its slopes are a breathtaking sight when they transform into colourful glades of the 'Neelakurinji', a flower which blooms only once in twelve years. Apart from the stunning scenery, lot of the plants in the base are used to make Ayurvedic Medicine. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Srirama asked his friend Hanuman to get some herbs from Lanka. Hanuman could not find the exact herb, so he carried the whole mountain with herbs to Srirama and Agastyarkoodam is supposed to be created when a part of mountain he carried fell off. It has been scientifically proved that even the air here has medicinal value. A lot of research is going around the world about the rare plants in these mountain ranges.

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