Edakkal Caves: Adventure Tourism in Wayanad

Edakkal caves are situated at a distance of 6 km from Ambalavalayal, 14 km from Sulthan Bathery and 28 km from Kalpetta. Edakkal Caves are two natural caves located on top of Ambukutty Mala near Ambalavalayal in Wayanad. Edakkal caves are one of the prime tourist places to visit in Wayanad and often represented in the promotion of Wayanad Tourism.

Situated an altitude of 4000 feet, these caves were discovered by Fred Fawcett, the then Superintendent of Police of the Malabar district in 1890, during his hunting trip to Wayanad. Fred had a deep-rooted interest in pre-History and wanted to explore more. He crossed the thick forests of Ambukuthy Mala to discover what later proved to be a dwelling dating back to the New Stone Age which was inhabited several times in the course of human history. The rock carvings here are of at least three distinct types, with the oldest one dating back to a period as long as 8,000 years ago. The name 'Edakkal' literally means 'a stone in between'. Here one can see a cave formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. Many legends are there behind the formation of Edakkal caves. There are many myths regarding the gigantic fissure. It is said that Lord Rama (an avatar of the Hindu God, Vishnu) himself shot an arrow at the mountain that left a deep cleft there. The hills themselves are named keeping in the mind the legend associated with the place (Ambu means arrow and kuthi mean pierce in Malayalam). Locals consider the caves sacred and many idols can be seen around the place.

The caves have two levels accessible through narrow iron steps. The lower chamber is around 18 feet long and 10 feet high. A small path from here leads to the upper chamber which is around 95 feet long and 18 feet high. These caves are natural rock formations which were formed by a large split in a huge rock. The stone walls in the upper chamber have several line drawings belonging to the Neolithic Age dating back to 6000 BC, the earliest drawings being 8000 years old. According to archaeologists, this place is one of the earliest centres of human habitation. There are few rock carvings from Bible that were carved recently near the entrance of the trek path.

The verdant landscape of Wayanad coupled with the daunting pathways up to the main destination makes Edakkal caves the perfect destination for a little trekking adventure.The caves can be reached by about 1.5 km uphill trek from the parking area at the bottom. Most of the trekking path is cemented and lined up with several shops selling spices, drinks and locally made handicrafts. The trekking route is covered with coffee plantations and it takes around 45 minutes to climb up the hills. The views of Wayanad hills and surrounding peaks from the entrance of main cave are breathtaking. Jeeps and Auto Rickshaws are available to reach the caves from Ambalavayal.

If you wish to explore Edakkal Caves a bit more closely, you might want to consider the option of booking a resort in Wayanad. Nestled in the bosom of Wayanad's lush greenery, the various accommodation in Wayanad is certainly a welcome change from the din of the city. Choose your best resort and enjoy your holidays in Wayanad without any limits.

For more details: After the Rains Resort, Wayanad