Importance of Edakkal Caves, Wayanad

A visit to Edakkal Caves is like stepping back in time. They are located 10 kilometres from Sulthan Bathery and have provided historians with valuable information about our ancestors' life and habits. The Edakkal Caves, despite their name, are not caves. They are part of a prehistoric rock shelter that formed naturally when a large boulder became jammed between two larger boulders. Sanskrit phrase "stone in between.". The cave is a natural cleft or rock shelter formed by the peculiar arrangement of three massive boulders, one of which rests on the other two. The bottom boulder juts out between the others and acts as a roof. 

History of Edakkal Caves

According to history, the caves were discovered during a hunting trip to Wayanad in 1890 by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police for the Malabar area. He found the Edakkal rock shelter on the western side of Edakkalmala. To his amazement, he identified the location as a Neolithic people's habitat. However, there are numerous myths about the caves. One of the legends holds that Lord Rama shot an arrow at the mountain, causing a deep fissure and forming what is now known as the Edakkal Cave. The caves are located on top of the Ambukuthi Hills, and the name approximately translates to "Pierced by an arrow" in Malayalam. The term Edakkal also denotes  "stone in between" in Malayalam language.

Stone Age Carvings

Edakkal is India's only site where Stone Age carvings have been found. Carvings from the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods can be found here. These caves' human figurines have raised hair and some wear masks. They are all archaeologically significant and intriguing. In addition to these pictorial engravings, you may see Tamil and Brahmi script in the Edakkal caves. The caves include artwork dating from the Neolithic period (as early as 6,000 BC) through 1,000 BCE. The most recent collection of paintings has made headlines due to a suspected link to the Indus Valley Civilization. Historian Raghava Varier of the Kerala State Archaeology Department recognised the most distinctive motif of the Indus Valley civilization as "a man holding  jar cup." The discovery, which was discovered in September 2009, demonstrates that the Harappan civilization was operating in the area. Edakkal's "a person with a jar cup" insignia appears to be more comparable to the Indus motif than those from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Pictorial Paintings

The Edakkal Caves are also well-known for its paintings of human figures, animals, symbols, and letters. These paintings are thought to date back to 6000 BC. The etchings and prehistoric line drawings document the culture and lives of those who lived in the caverns thousands of years ago.  Some of the Edakkal Caves have petroglyphs; they are not caves, but rather rifts or clefts in the rocks. The Edakkal Caves have three types of petroglyphs, the oldest of which date back 8,000 years. The petroglyphs have beautiful structures that are worth seeing.

Edakkal's charms do not end with the carvings. The Edakkal cave murals are astounding in their grandeur and complexity, but their origins remain a mystery. They have been a source of surprise and astonishment for tourists and historians alike since their discovery in 1895. The Muniyaras, or ancient burial sites, uncovered in these hills have provided a plethora of old earthenware and ceramics. The Wayanad Heritage Museum now houses the majority of the objects recovered here.

A Fantastic Trekking Experience

The caves are located in the Ambukuthi Hills, and visitors can go on a trekking excursion to explore them. It takes about an hour to get to the top of the hill, and the path becomes steeper as you go higher. You can stop for refreshments at stalls located on either side of the uphill hike and take in the breath-taking panorama. The aroma flowing from the coffee fields transports you to another planet on your way to the caves, making your trip unforgettable.

Visiting Time and Entry Fee

The Edakkal caverns are open for visitors from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. You may get to the lower portion of the Ambukuthi hills by bus or automobile and then ascend the hills. You can utilise the jeeps provided by the DTPC until about halfway up the slopes. To visit the caves, you must pay a modest entrance fee.

God's own country would amaze you with its broad sandy beaches, swaying palms, shimmering backwaters, and lush green hills, ayurvedic treatment, among other things. The Edakkal Caves are perfect for those who seek nature exploration and adventure sports. It's a fantastic hike and a fantastic chance to connect with nature. From its peak, you can see areas of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. You would also love to stay at resorts in Wayanad nestled between the beautiful countryside. The resort experience is like no other. If you love taking long walks through country pathways on misty mornings, wading through jungle streams, becoming one with nature, the resort experience in Wayanad is made just for you!