snapshots of Edakkal Caves
Experience Edakkal Caves in Wayanad, Kerala
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Edakkal Caves? This was the last option given to me to visit on our last day at Wayanad, Kerala for our 2 days and 2 nights stay. For those who have not read my previous post, I visited Kerala for 2 weeks as part of the Kerala Blog Express 3 wherein 30 bloggers from 25 countries around the world were given their trip of a lifetime in various districts all throughout the state of Kerala, India.
The 30 Bloggers were divided into two groups wherein the first group will be visiting a dam, experience bamboo rafting, etc…not really physically draining. I would want to join this group, but they put a limit of 12 bloggers in this group due to the capacity of the vehicle used. Well, I left with no choice but to join the second group which will be visiting places including the Edakkal Caves. Why I was hesitant for this trip? They told me that visiting Edakkal Caves would include trekking for more than 1 km uphill.I seemed not to like a tedious trek at that moment. But I don’t want to waste my time sleeping at the hotel, so, there goes my experience at Edakkal Caves in Wayanad , Kerala.
towards Edakkal Caves, steep…very steep trekking, yet, we can still manage to smile and laugh
Edakkal, Ambukuthi Mala
The cave was located in Ambukuthi Mala, the tallest mountain in the district of Wayanad. Upon reaching the parking at the base of the hill where Edakkal Caves was located you can already spot several shops selling souvenir and food items.
We started to walk from the parking area to reach the base of the hill where the cave was located. The trek uphill was difficult.While I knew I can do it, but I was also aware that it would be challenging. While doing the trek, I thought that my lungs would simply give in. What was aggravating was that everyone said that the climb was 1km, when it was clearly more. But thanks to laughter and fun. In fact was even able to manage to crack a few jokes while trekking. But here’s the heaven’s answer to my unspoken prayers, there was a car coming and Susanna a fellow blogger tried her luck to ask for a ride — and she got it – with us! Lol! Late that we knew, the car owner was the manager of the place. He brought us directly at the base of the hill where we still need to climb 300 plus steps to reach Edakkal Caves.
our initial approach to Edakkal Caves…
At the base, one must pay for an entrance fee as follows: Adult -Rs. 20; Children (below 5 years) – free; between 5 to 15 years – Rs 10; Still Camera – Rs 30; Movie camera – Rs 150. Also, littering is not allowed in the place, so all pet bottles are marked with a sticker and monitored afterwards.
The 300 plus steps to the Edakkal Caves
After getting our ticket, we start climbing the steeper steps towards Edakkal Caves. There were some reminders at the base that the track was not recommended for people with heart problems. But I guess, reaching the caves will always be possible even to those who are in their middle age for as long as they take their own pace. Anyone can stop and rest at some points .
Reaching the cave was very rewarding. Before getting into the cave, I pause and took a time to marvel the beautiful vista offered by the place from the top.
The stone in between…
The Edakkal Cave Structure
The name of Edakkal Caves literally means `a stone in between’. As the name indicates, it seems that one large rock stuck over between two big boulders ones to create a cave. Experts are of the opinion that Edakkal Caves is not a cave in the real sense. It is a fissure in the rocks which had been created due to natural causes/ changing climatic conditions. According to our guide, the split in the rock is about 22 ft. in width and 96 ft. in length. The depth of the cleft extends to over 30 ft. Mild sun rays penetrating into it make the place even more beautiful.
An iron railing was placed inside the Edakkal Caves, protecting the carvings on the walls from damage.
Edakkal Caves Rock Engravings
The walls of Edakkal Caves were covered with various engravings, prehistoric line drawings. These markings were representations that the caves were occupied by various sets of people during various stages of history. There was a guide inside who talks about these etchings, but he speaks too fast and with a low voice so it was quite difficult to understand. So I just made some clarifications with our own guide. I also bought a small booklet at the ticket booth for information about the cave for 20 INR. For some reasons, mobile phones are not allowed to use inside the caves for picture taking.
As pointed by the guide, three distinct sets of petroglyphs can be seen in the caves and some depictions are as old as 7000 years. It is said that Edakkal Caves is the only known place for stone age carvings in South India. The guide further added that the carvings belonging to the Neolithic and Mesolithic Age include ancient stone scripts, ancient weaponry figures, symbols, figures of various animals and human beings etc.
The rock surface is full of linear motifs and one can see weird shaped figures, crosses, triangles, tridents, squares, stars, wheels, spirals, plant motifs, pot shaped items, various animals and human figures. Many of the human figures have raised hair, some have masked faces and all these figures are eye-catching and have archaeological significance. Apart from these pictorial carvings, ancient inscriptions, including a Tamil Brahmi script have been identified from the caves. (DMC Edakkal Booklet)
The guide also pointed some images of a tribal king, a queen, a child, a deer and an elephant on the wall. A human figure with headgear, another on a wheeled cart and some male and female figures too can be seen. All these symbols suggest the presence of prehistoric men.
Yours truly together with other bloggers and Kerala Blog Express 3 Crew inside the Edakkal Caves
My Say…
Visiting Edakkal Caves was indeed physically challenging, but it was as well very enriching. At least, I can say that once in my lifetime I have experienced the Edakkal Caves of Wayanad, Kerala.
Getting There:
Edakkal Caves is located about 12km south of Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad. Sulthan Bathery is the nearest (KSRTC) bus station. Ambalavayal is the nearest town center. There is local bus/jeep service available.There are several Kerala Tour Packages available to help you reach the place.
Address: Wayanad, Kerala, 673593, Nenmeni, Kerala 673595, India
Visiting Hours: 9AM–4:00PM
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Such a unique and beautiful place. I loved seeing the beautiful images.
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I love exploring caves.
Wayanad is the green paradise. It is a famous and popular tourist destination in Kerala. Thanks for sharing your memorable experience. I like your posts very much. The photos you shared are nice.
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Thank you for sharing this blog.
this place is so adventurous really want to visit this place
I am Mathew from Australia. I am planning to visit India next year with my family. I read this article, it is helpful for me.
thanks for written this article Kerala India.
Thank you. There are many attractions in Kerala which you will surely enjoy.
try to visit India, it’s a beautiful country to visit and the cost of travelling like food and hotel is pretty cheap
Such a fun and unique place. I loved seeing the fun pics.
Yes, its fun but at the same time very educational because this cave is historical 🙂
Wow this looks like a blast. I love to travel. I can’t wait to enjoy more places like this. I’ll have to put this on my list.
thanks Amber. Edakkal Caves is a must visit in Kerala, India 🙂
That looks like it was an amazing adventure! I used to go to local caves for tours and want to take my girls sometime as well.
Edakkal Caves is safe for the kids, it has steel stairs 🙂
Caves adventure is fun but I do not think I can go. It freaks me out 🙁
hahaha. Edakkal is safe.it was quite tiring though 🙂
I’ve always wanted to travel to Kerala, it’s so green n lush. The cave adventure would be awesome.
True, aside from this cave, you must see the endless tea plantations
What a fun adventure! And the caves look so beautiful.
It was great adventure , just quite tiring.But I didn’t regret going there 🙂
Does big climbs really can do you in. Looks like it was worth it though.
true, it was tiring , but it was worth it 🙂
Looks like a fun and adventurous place to visit. The caves look so amazing and beautiful.
yes, I didn’t regret visiting Edakkal caves
It looks so amazing and fun. Interesting place to visit, i want to go there and try something new. Great shot for the pictures. it awesome.
Thank you Nicole. Edakkal Caves was really awesome 🙂
Looks like you had an awesome experience, I love to travel too and go to that cave, such an interesting.
You should . I was hesitant at first, but it’s all worth it 🙂
Seems like a lot of walking for me to handle, good thing you managed to survive all that trekking. It seems like a nice place since there are ancient carvings on the walls! nice post!
Thank you. I guess, another technique to reach the cave is just to take your pace 🙂
What an amazing trip this must have been for you. I’m sure the trek up was worth it. The caves look so stunning and majestic!
it was all worth it, though it was just quite tiring 🙂
This looks awesome! I bet my family would enjoy going there, perfect to add to my travel bucket list!
true, I was seeing some families trekking towards the cave 🙂
Wow. This looks like a popular place and a nice little work-out, too. I’d love to see it myself.
true, I was sweating a lot climbing up the cave
I wish I could say that I would like to visit those places but I am unfit that I would most likely just huff and puff.
too bad, Edakkal caves was really beautiful
What an adventure! And they always say it is 1 km and then it ends up being more! At least it seemed worth it!
Yes, maybe they just don’t want to discourage us
That sounds like an amazing adventure. I love exploring caves.
it was an amazing adventure, very educational as well
oh my I am in total awe and rather jealous I wish I got the chance to travel more than I do and looking at those pictures I would sure visit this amazing place
try to visit India, it’s a beautiful country and the cost of travelling like hotel and food is ridiculously cheap 🙂