Agasthyarkoodam is a center of pilgrimage for devotees of the Hindu sage Agastya, who is considered one of the seven Hindu Puranas rishis (Saptarishi). Agastya is considered in Tamil traditions to be the father of the Tamil language and the compiler of the first Tamil grammar called Agattiyam or Akattiyam. And the language of Malayalam is often believed to have arisen in Agasthya. At the top of the peak is a small stone statue of Agathiyar, and the devotees themselves can give pujas.
Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is among 20 new sites added to its World Biosphere Reserve Network by UNESCO in March 2016. At a two-day meeting on 19 March 2016 in Lima, the International Coordinating Council added the new sites taking the total number of biosphere reserves to 669 sites in 120 countries, including 16 transboundary sites. This includes approximately 300 endangered bird species and more than 200 medicinal plants only found here.
The lower elevations of this mountain are known for their abundance of medicinal plants and rare herbs. Around 2,000 medicinal plants are found here, used in Ayurvedic treatments. Europeans, particularly those from England, were the first to establish tea gardens at Brimore, Bonacaud and Ponmudi around the base stations of the mountain.
The Biosphere Reserve at Agasthyamala harbors unique flora and fauna. Tourists are allowed in the region only with permission from Kerala's forest department. In January – February only annual trekking passes to the peak are provided from the forest department.
The Manjolai area is located deep within the western Ghats within the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve in the Tirunelveli District, between elevations ranging from 1000 to 1500 metres. Located on top of the Manimuthar Dam and the Manimuthar Water Falls, the Manjolai area has tea plantations, small settlements around the tea plantations, Upper Kodaiyar Dam, and Kuthiravetti, a windy viewing point.
Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd operates the tea plantations and the entire Manjolai Estates on forest lands leased by the singampatti zamin. The Manjolai area includes three tea estates — Manjolai Estate, Manimutharu Estate, and Oothu Estate. The properties are on elevations ranging from 2,300 to 4,200 feet (701 to 1,280 m). Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd. manages the lands, roads, and settlements within the Manjolai district.