Aryankavu is a village located in the Kollam district of the Indian state of Kerala. It lies close to the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu near Thenmala. It is also one of the famous pilgrimage sites associated with the legend of Sabarimala. The village is located besides Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.
The most spoken languages in Aryankavu are Malayalam . But due to its closest proximity to Tamil Nadu, Tamil is also widely spoken and understood . There is also Malai Pandaram tribal population in Aryankavu.
It is a mountain pass connecting Kollam district and Tenkasi district and the village is located along this pass. This pass along with Palakkad Gap and Aralvaimozhi gap is a significant pass that connects Kerala side of Western Ghats with Coromandel Coastal plains of Tamil Nadu. The pass is a narrow low-lying area in Western Ghats with altitude lesser than 300 metres (980 ft). The Kollam–Sengottai railway line and National Highway 744 passes through this pass. In the western end of the gap there is Kallada River valley. The pass plays an important role in the climate of nearby Punalur as it keeps the mercury levels in the town significantly higher than nearby areas.
The gap along with Achankovil Shear Zone plays the role of an ecological divide. It separate the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve from Cardamom Hills and High Range of Kerala.
The elevation map of Western Ghats showing Aryankavu Pass/ Sengottai Gap.
