Edakkal Caves – Amazing Prehistoric Caves Dating Back to 6000 BC

Cocooned at an altitude of 1200 meters above the sea level, Edakkal Caves are two natural caves placed in the emerald Wayanad district of Gods own Country Kerala. The prehistoric rock etchings found on these caves along with its amazing formation have grabbed the attention and raise curiosity in the mind of many historians and archaeologists worldwide. The name Edakkal Caves literally translates to ‘stone in between’ and from the naming point of view it seems that one rock astonishingly jammed in two bigger rocks to create these amazing caves.

The split of the rock which is 96 feet in length and 22 feet in width with a depth of the cleft extending to over 30 feet along with a large cave which has fallen over it creating a cave like structure has been able to amaze almost every visitor. Scientists owe the reason for this amazing phenomenon to the changes in climatic conditions and other natural causes but no one have been able to solve it completely.

Colonial Findings: In 1894, when F Foster (British Malabar Police Superintendent) was on his way for hunting found out rock tools which were used in Neolithic era and also noticed the Edakkal Caves after having a voyage there. Later he documented the pictures and it was in 1984, 90 years later when State Archaeology Department took control of the caves owing to its prehistoric feature.

The pictorial writings inside the cave are supposed to be of 6, 000 BC symbolizing a presence of prehistoric civilization in this region and are the only examples of South India.

The Legend:

According to a legend, the caves were formed by arrows which were fired by Lava and Kusha (son of Rama and Sita) legendary heroes of Ramayana and that the sister of Ravana, Surpanakha was killed by Lord Rama in the slender crevice at the southern part of the Edakkal Caves.

Surprisingly in Malayalam, Ambu means arrow and kuthy means to pierce and hence the name Ambukuthy was derived.

Another legend associates the small devil of Malabar (Kutti Chatan) with the goddess Mudiampilli (local deity) and lately the local inhabitants also took a pilgrimage to the summit of the hill to perform a ritual offering in her honour. They perform it annually to tribute the goddess.

Activities:

Trekking: All the visitors have to trek up the Ambukuthy Hills to reach these caves. The 45 minutes of trekking path is festooned with coffee plantations and picturesque landscapes which will make your journey a worthy and successful experience. Beside this the invigorating breeze which carries the fresh aroma of coffee all the time will keep you fresh all time thus ending in a fruitful journey which will fetch you with prehistoric sightings along with an astounding view of the surrounding areas.

A telescope is installed nearby the cave which offers a spectacular view of the vicinity.

Timings: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Entry Fee: Rs. 10/adult, Rs. 5/kid, Rs. 25/camera and Rs. 100/video camera

Best time to Visit: The best time to visit the Edakkal Caves is from the months of November to May.

Accommodation: One can find a number of staying options while visiting the Edakkal Caves in Kalpetta and Sulthan Bathery; Wynberg Resorts, Hotel Great Jubilee, Wayanad Nature Resort and Hotel Mintflower are some of them which are facilitated with all the required modern amenities.

How to Reach:

By Air: The nearest airport is positioned in Karipur at 23 km from Kozhikode and 120 km from Sulthan Bathery.

By Train: Kozhikode is the closest railway station at a distance of 97 km from sulthan Bathery.

By Road: The nearest town to this place is Sulthan Bathery at 16 km and is linked by road to major South Indian cities.