Edakkal Caves-Kerala, India

Edakkal Caves Situated on Ambukuthi hills, the caves are 10 kms from Sultanbathery, in Wayanad district. F. Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police, who was also a pre-history enthusiast, accidentally discovered the caves in 1894. Archaelogists consider the caves as one of the earliest centres of human habitation.

The local legend says that the caves were formed by arrows fired by Lava and Kusha, the sons of Lord Rama. A few locals also believe that Lord Rama killed Surpanakha (sister of Ravana), in the narrow gap at the end of Edakkal cave.

Another local legend associates the caves with Kutti Chatan (the little devil of Malabar) with the goddess Mudiampilli. The locals believe that the Goddess killed the demon in the cave by splitting the hill and even today they perform an annual pilgrimage to the peak of the hill to perform a puja (ritual offering) in her honor

Edakkal Caves Formed by a large split in a huge rock, the two natural rock formations represent the world's richest pictographic gallery of its kind. The caves contain several paintings and pictorial writings of the New Stone-Age Civilization which speaks volumes of the bygone life and civilization.

Edakkal caves are located at a height of 1000 m on Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavayal. The New Stone Age pictorial writings on the walls of these natural caves at Edakkal are evidence of the civilisation that existed in these regions in prehistoric times. The caves can be accessed only by a 1 km trekking trail from Edakkal. Morning hours are the best time to visit the caves.

‘Edakkal’ means ‘a stone in between’ which actually depicts the composition of this historical tourist spot which is a cave formed as a result of the gap in a huge rock formation. This rock has 2 layers and can be entered inside through a narrow passage which is sort of steep enough to raise your adrenalin flow.Is this the only rock with a specific shape? Or character? Am I trying to say this rock has got life? How a historical wonder in the middle of thick rain forests about 1200 meters above sea level claims interest? Why can’t we take a break from the myth.En-route to heaven Nearly a kilometer of trekking, down the rocky aisles could take you to the entrance of the historical caves. You don’t feel like taking chances by trekking with no trekking shoes on? No bother at all, get inside a jeep parked nearby avidly awaiting for someone and now it’s your turn to cruise your way towards Edakkal caves.

Edakkal caves, located at around 1200 meters above sea level in Wayanad district of Kerala, the green paradise and home to all spices.You would never know till you visit Guess what? You have just reached the main entrance; you may still have to climb a few more steps-believe it or not, it’s not the right place for hip-hop or hard core punk steps- to the historical caves with extra ordinary works of wall carvings of people, fox, deer, dogs, elephants etc. Various archeologists who visited and studied this site have written that, it was not just one culture but an array of cultures has been born here. It’s an incredible view to see a mystifying combination of infinite number of lines taking different forms and figures depending on the intensity of light flashing through the caves.

Many thousands of tourists visit Wayanad a year, but none of them misses Edakkal caves. Providing a bird’s eye view of the southern states of India including Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Edakkal caves at Wayanad is a feast for the nature lovers.

Get a Grip man Sounds annoying, yeah? Oops, didn’t mean it that way exactly. You should get well gripped foot wears while visiting Wayanad.Edakkal caves can be slippery in every sense during rainy seasons.

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