Destinations around the world for increasing wellness and immunity : 16 . Agasthya Mala
Location: Agasthya Mala,Kerala, India
Destination type : Wellness Destination
Agashthya Mala Biosphere Reserve lies between the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This region , part of Western Ghats, is rich with herbal medicinal and other plants ( over 2000 spices). The air here is considered to have healing properties. Its an excellent site for forest healing therapy even though organised forest healing packages are not started.The Agasthyarkoodam or the peak can be reached through 20 kms trek and is said to be the abode of Saint Agasthya the propagator of Siddha medicine ( one of the earliest medical systems in the world). The arogyapacha (Trichopus zeylanicus ) plant’s leaves found here are used by tribal communities to fight fatigue. The trekking here is seasonal and requires pass from Kerala state forest department It can be obtained from forest department office at Thirvananthapuram or booked online.
History of Agasthyar Mala
- The mythological Saint Agasthya / Agasthyar is said to have settled in this peak
- Agasthya Mala region was a part of Travencore Kingdom of Kerala till 1947
- Post Indian independence Kerala state was formed in 1956 and the Bonacaud area from where trekking starts became part of Kerala state
- From 2008 on wards forest department has imposed strict regulations in trekking
Activities for tourists at Agathya Mala
- Trek through the pristine forest to heal yourself by nature
- Try out tribal healing in this area
- Enroll with any of the authentic Ayurveda therapy centers
- Meditate at the Agasthyar peak
How to reach there
Air
Trivandrum ( Thiruvananthapuram ) International airport 40 kms away is the nearest airport.It has flights to:
- Dubai
- Sharjah
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Doha
- Male
- Kula Lumpur
- Colombo and
- Singapore.
There are flight to Indian domestic destinations such as
- Kochi
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bangalore and
- Chennai
Train
Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) Central railway station is the main railway station and Kochuveli railway station is 10 Kms away from city centre. From these railway station trains are available to:
- New Delhi
- Mumbai
- Kolkotta
- Chennai
- Baengaluru
- Kanyakumari
- Gandhidham etc
Climate
Winter is the best time to travel in Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala.
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Season Average Temperature Winter( November to February) 22°C to 31°C Summer( March to June) 24°C to 35°C
Nearby destinations for tour operators / travel agents
1. Thiruvanthapuram ( 35kms away)
2. Kanyakumari( 128 kms away)
3. Kumarakom ( 178 kms away)
4. Kovalam( 40 kms away)
5. Alappuzha ( 173 kms away)
Some hotels in Thiruvananthapuram**for tourists and tour operators with room tariff less than Rs.5000/- per night
**Since Agasthya Mala is reserved forest there are no accomodation in that area. At Thiruvananthapuram city you will better hotels to stay
Uday Suites http://udaysuites.com/
SP Grand Days http://www.spgranddays.com/
Hotel Highland https://www.highland-hotels.com/
Hotel Apollo Dimora http://www.apollodimora.com/
The Central Residency http://thecentralresidency.com/
Fortune Hotel The South Park http://thesouthpark.com/
Some Ayurveda retreats at Thiruvananthapuram
Elixir Ayurveda and Wellness spa http://www.elixirayurveda.com/
Chakra Ayurvedic Resort http://www.chakraayurvedicresort.com/
Somatheeram https://somatheeram.in/
Saatwika https://saatwika.in