Edakkal Caves
Edakkal Caves is situated 1200 m above sea level, atop a mountain named Ambukuthi Mala in Wayanad district of Kerala. The naturally occurred cave is believed to be one of the oldest examples of human settlements in the district. You can find various artifacts, ancient stone scripts, engraved pictures of human and animal figures with peculiar head dresses, symbols and cave drawings of human figures, the Swastika form, bows, knives, wheels etc, inside the cave. Similar cave drawings, believed to be 7000 years old, are found only in Styria in the European Alps and a few places in Africa.
History
Edakkal Caves were the discovery of Fred-Fawcett, who was the then Superintendent of Police of Malabar District. He was on a hunting trip when he came across a megalithic stone chisel. Being a serious researcher of pre-history, he tried making a few saunters and stumbled upon the Edakkal rock shelter. Edakkal Caves is also associated with a number of mythological and tribal legends. It has also been named ‘Ambukuthi Mala’, as according to a popularly believed story, the caves were formed by the arrows of Lava and Kush, the sons of Lord Rama.
According to a popular belief, the locals perform offerings at the peak of the hill of Edakkal Caves. Another legend related to this cave is from the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, according to which, Lord Rama killed the demoness Surpanakha, Ravana's sister, in the slim fissure located in the Southern part of the cave.
Attraction
A theory was proposed by a few archaeologists, according to which, Edakkal Caves may be a meeting point of the Harappan and Dravidian Civilizations. The carvings found in the caves are dated from 5000 BC to 1000 BC. They bear resemblance with the Indus Valley carvings. The symbols and motifs used while inscribing the script and pictographic representation are similar to those found in Indus Valley civilization. It can be a testimony to the cultural diffusion. Adding to the historical value of the caves are its three distinct types of Petro glyphs, which symbolize that the caves were inhibited at different points of time in the history.
How to Reach Edakkal Caves
The best time to visit Edakkal Caves is during morning hours, as the visibility is much better. One should try to finish exploring the caves by the evening, because the entry to these caves closes at 1700hrs. To reach the caves one has to trek all the way from Edakkal. Nevertheless, one can take a private transport till a nearby place and start trekking to reach Edakkal Caves.
History
Edakkal Caves were the discovery of Fred-Fawcett, who was the then Superintendent of Police of Malabar District. He was on a hunting trip when he came across a megalithic stone chisel. Being a serious researcher of pre-history, he tried making a few saunters and stumbled upon the Edakkal rock shelter. Edakkal Caves is also associated with a number of mythological and tribal legends. It has also been named ‘Ambukuthi Mala’, as according to a popularly believed story, the caves were formed by the arrows of Lava and Kush, the sons of Lord Rama.
According to a popular belief, the locals perform offerings at the peak of the hill of Edakkal Caves. Another legend related to this cave is from the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, according to which, Lord Rama killed the demoness Surpanakha, Ravana's sister, in the slim fissure located in the Southern part of the cave.
Attraction
A theory was proposed by a few archaeologists, according to which, Edakkal Caves may be a meeting point of the Harappan and Dravidian Civilizations. The carvings found in the caves are dated from 5000 BC to 1000 BC. They bear resemblance with the Indus Valley carvings. The symbols and motifs used while inscribing the script and pictographic representation are similar to those found in Indus Valley civilization. It can be a testimony to the cultural diffusion. Adding to the historical value of the caves are its three distinct types of Petro glyphs, which symbolize that the caves were inhibited at different points of time in the history.
How to Reach Edakkal Caves
The best time to visit Edakkal Caves is during morning hours, as the visibility is much better. One should try to finish exploring the caves by the evening, because the entry to these caves closes at 1700hrs. To reach the caves one has to trek all the way from Edakkal. Nevertheless, one can take a private transport till a nearby place and start trekking to reach Edakkal Caves.
