After Sabarimala, Agasthyarkoodam opens for women

Breaking yet another 'gender' barrier, a woman on Monday started scaling Agasthyarkoodam – the second highest peak of Kerala – where the fair sex had been barred owing to an age-old tribal custom.

K Dhanya Sanal, armed with a recent high court order which lifted the 'unofficial' ban on entry of women to the peak, began the arduous journey along with male trekkers through the traditional forest path from Bonacaud, located about 50 kms from here.

A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry here said Dhanya was the only woman in the first batch of 100 trekkers who set out to scale the 1,868-metre lofty peak, known for its panoramic beauty and unique biodiversity.

Clad in jeans and shirt and carrying a travel bag, Dhanya seemed content and confident as she manoeuvred her way through the 22 kmlong forest path.

Agastyarkoodam, located in the Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, opened for the annual trekking for the first time after the Kerala High Court ruled last November that no gender-based restrictions would be imposed on trekkers. The local Kani tribes living on the foothills have opposed the scaling of the lofty peak by women.

They had staged protests against permitting women to the peak, but did not attempt to stop the trekkers, including Dhanya, in view of the court order.

According to Kanis, the mountain range is the holy abode of their deity 'Agastya Muni', the mythical Hindu sage who is believed to be the guardian of the inhabitants. Women are traditionally not permitted to climb the peak, where his idol is located.

According to Kani tribes, the mountain range is the holy abode of their deity 'Agastya Muni', the mythical Hindu sage