Agastyarkoodam-God's seat

The first thing you notice in the forest is the deafening silence.





When I got a chance to apply for pass from forest department for trekking to Agasthyarkoodam I was excited. It was like a dream come true. Long time wish, now accomplishing. We planned for the trip. Five of us. Praveen, Manu , Sareesh, Subhag and yours sincerely. The forest dept. officials had advised us to start as early as possible. The reason, you have to start trekking before sun tires you out with his hot blessings.


The journey:
We started from Thiruvananthapuram by 5-45am. Once we reached Bonnacaud we asked for Forest entry point. There was virtually no road. A county road with full of rocks and no tarring leads to the forest. If you travel by small cars, you need to be careful while driving. Throughout the 2kms stretch the base of the car will be hitting the ground.
There was a warm welcome at the forest entry point from forest dept officials. There was a crowd over there waiting to start their trekking. Officials were calling out their names from the passes they had submitted and verifying the id card. Some were getting signatures from tourists and pilgrims(there is a small temple on the top of the peak) .They asked us to wait since the crowd was big (100 passes will be issued for one day and that too in advance). We decided to have breakfast meanwhile and get the lunch packed from the small canteen there. The food was simple . We checked our supplies once again. Went through the customary requirements. The forest officials checked our bags for weapons, liquor etc. Then allowed us to start trekking from the base camp by 10am. The distance to be covered was 22kms to reach the Adimala (Pongala para) camp.

We trekked almost 2kms when we saw a small shelter made of hay and tarpaulin. There was a trench almost 5 feet deep and one foot wide. Subhag asked the guide “ Why you dig this big trench?” The guard said there was a menace of wild elephants. As a precaution they had made it. Everyone started looking at each other. Man, we need to keep going, was the message. The trekking was tiresome but exciting. The forest took us to some other world. We were actually breathing fresh air. Drinking pure water from streams, cold and tasty. It was like being in union with the nature. A wonderful experience.



There were totally four notable water falls on the way. You have to walk through the falls to continue your journey. There were people taking bath at the last falls was are bigger than other three falls.


It was 1-30pm and we decided to have lunch there and enjoy the falls for a while. Even the guide reminded us the next 4.5kms stretch was steep hills. We needed to regain our strength before climbing. Upon your luck you can see wild hogs, elephant, monkeys, birds etc. The entire area is a heaven of medicinal herbs. The air there itself is believed to have medicinal effect. The falls is called Attayar meaning “the leach river”. Sure you will find lots of leaches there. You can get rid of them if you sprinkle common salt on them.

Started from there by 2-30pm. The last 4kms walk was really grueling experience. Man, I literally panted. Praveen feeling sorry about me stayed back with me keeping to my pace. Others moved on with their speed. It was deep forest. Only colour you will see is Green. But as time goes on it will get darker.

Inside forest it will get dark very fast. So before 5pm you have to reach your destination. For concrete jungle animals like us in broad daylight itself it was very difficult to find the way. Can’t imagine what will happen once it is dark. Above all there was a threat of rain.

There were lots of butterflies on the way. The scenery was something you won’t see even in movies. Exquisite.









We reached the Adimala camp by 4-30pm. Dead tired.Once we reached there first thing we did was having a black tea. The hot man made drink after a long trek through dense forest. We felt like in heaven










Route:
Thiruvananthapuram to Nedumangadu through Perurkkada and Karakulam. From there take the straight road towards Thullimanoor. From Thullimanoor take a right towards Vithura. Once you reach Vithura you will see a road going to right side which takes you to Thayiodu . Bonnacaud road is towards right from Thayiodu. Once you reach Bonnacaud ask for forest entry point. Its only 2kms away.
Distance:-
Thiruvananthapuram =>Thullimanoor - 18kms
Thullimanoor=> Vithura - 12kms
Vithura => Bonnacaud – 20kms
Bonnacaud => Forest Entry 2kms
Things to be remembered:-
• Plan for 3 days trip
• Last 6kms stretch to Agasthyarkoodam will be really tiring
• While trekking you should only sip water in small quantity. Don’t drink too much.
• Eat light food
• Avoid sweet, sour and hot tasted food
• Take glucose in very small quantity to avoid muscular cramps
• No liquor or cigarettes allowed
• Order food in advance at the base camp and at Adimala camp.
• Avoid travelling by late evening
• Always keep a guide with you. he can suggest alternate paths if some animals are on the way
• Don’t use perfumes or flashy coloured dress
• Don’t shout or talk in high voice
• Don’t drink juice or Cola while trekking. Only plain water
• Last petrol pump ,puncture shop and hospital at Vithura
• Keep only minimum fuel while you go for trekking
• Keep a steppini tyre
• Water
• Snacks
• glucose
• Bedsheet
• towel
• 1 pair of clothes for changing
• trekking boots
• essential medicines, plasters or band aid .remember a hospital is the last thing you can find in deep jungle
• camera with battery back-up
• id card