The hills are notable as the habitat for over 2,000 species of medicinal plants and as the abode of the Vedic sage Agasthya, founder of the Siddhar practitioners of Rasayana herbal medicine, who is often depicted holding a mortar and pestle.
To restore the Earth's balance, Lord Shiva requested Sage Agasthya to travel South.
According to legends the Meenachil river originates from the Kamandalu of Gauna Maharshi (Sage Gauna) like the river Kaveri from Agasthya Maharshi's Kamandalu.
On their request for penance, Agasthya Muni advised them to perform Tapas at two Shiva Temples.