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Silent Stories of The Rocks of Edakkal Caves in Wayanad, Kerala, India
The steep trek had left him breathless. He paused to take in huge gulps of oxygen even as he steadied himself by holding on to the stooping branches of a tree. From his looks, it was apparent that the man was dead tired, but his eyes shone with the intensity of a man on a mission.
He knew that he was very near to his goal. It had all started with his finding the axe in the Coffee Estate that he was staying in and now he was so near to the culmination of his quest. The trek up the hill had been tiring but his excitement grew as he entered a natural rock shelter. What he saw stopped him in his tracks and he stared in incredulous awe.
The rock walls of the natural shelter were filled with Stone Age carvings and included stone scripts, ancient weapons, symbols, crude animal and human figures, and much more.
A broad smile lit up the tired face of Fred Fawcett, Superintendent of Police of the Malabar District.
The year was 1895. This was probably how Fred Fawcett discovered the Edakkal caves in the Wayanad District of Kerala.
More than a 100 years later, engulfed in the same excitement that Fred Fawcett had, we drove down to Wayanad District in the southern state of Kerala for our own tryst with the Edakkal Caves. The drive in itself was quite enjoyable as we approached the Wayanad forests. Our road trip to Wayanad definitely looked promising.
So eager were we to see the caves that we drove straight towards them without checking in to our place of stay, which was a delightful little villa nestled amidst sloping tea gardens. The fact that we had driven for almost 6 hours from Bangalore did nothing to dampen our spirits. We looked forward to seeing Edakkal Caves which is known as one of the top Wayanad tourist places.
Arriving at the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
The Edakkal Caves are located in Edakkal in the Wayanad district of the southern state of Kerala, India. The caves are situated about 25 kilometers from Kalpetta which is the headquarters of the Wayanad district. The Edakkal Caves are approximately 280 kilometers from the city of Bangalore and about 127 kilometers from the royal city of Mysore.
After leaving Bangalore in the early hours of the morning we drove straight to the Edakkal Caves and reached there in the afternoon. There is a parking lot where we parked our car. One needs to walk to the caves from here.
The Walk to The Entrance of the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Leaving the parking area we started walking on a steep road. Our attention was immediately drawn to a fascinating looking open Church by the side of the road.
A board informed us that this was the St. George Malankara Catholic Church, Kuppakkolly. It is a church dedicated to Mother Mary who is known here as Edakkal Amma. The small open church has some beautiful rock carvings of Adam and Eve, Mother Mary, Jesus, and also the Pieta. Interestingly one of the pillars has the sacred Hindu symbol Om, a silent testimony to the secular nature of the place.
We tore ourselves away from this little church and made our way up a road which had a gradual incline initially and then steeped quite steeply. Our backs automatically stooped to keep the center of gravity balanced.
The road was lined with small shops that sold everything from souvenirs to spices and coffee to chocolates. On our way back we bought some homemade chocolates and they turned out really good. They were quite reasonably priced too, considering the fact that they cost almost half of what it had us in Thekkady where we had been a few months ago.
There were some spectacular views of distant hills against the backdrop of an azure sky that seemed to have been dabbed with random strokes of white. As the road was sheltered by the trees on the fringes it was a pleasant walk, barring the fact that the steepness of the road did test your fitness level to a certain extent. But the views and the antics of small monkeys that played all around ensured that spirits were high as we trudged along.
The Walk up to The Edakkal Caves Wayanad
The road which got steeper as we moved forward eventually led us to a ticket counter. A gate nearby was the entry that would lead us to the Edakkal Caves. After buying our tickets which are nominally priced along with a ticket for our cameras too we entered the gate.
The climb to the Edakkal Caves is in itself an adventure of sorts as you negotiate some rocky trails surrounded by lush greenery all around. We had left the road behind and now we had a rocky path to tread on. We enjoyed the walk, though we were slightly out of breath.
We soon reached what looked like a cul de sac at first glance but was actually a narrow passage between the boulders that lead to the first of the caves.
We had to climb a steep rocky stair hewn from the stone and hoist ourselves between the rocks to reach the entrance to the first cave.
Inside The First of the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
After maneuvering ourselves between the rocks with some dexterity, we reached the entrance to the first cave which is enclosed by a steel gate.
There was a small stream inside the cave and apart from the ubiquitous selfie seekers, not much to see. But the importance of this cave is the fact that it is the lower chamber that forms the Edakkal Caves and supports the main cave. Looking around we saw a small flight steel steps leading upwards from the cave. This was the way to the main cave.
Once we climbed out of the first cave we were met with the sight if a steel staircase that wound up the hill.
The views got more and more spectacular as we ascended towards the top. The clear blue skies enhanced the beauty of the surroundings. It looked as if a sea of green was merging with a sea of blue on the horizon.
After a steep climb that took us about 1200 meters above sea level we reached the entrance to the main cave of the Edakkal Caves, only to find that we now needed to descend another flight of steel steps into the caverns of the cave.
Inside The Main Chamber of the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Once inside the cave, the feeling was one of awe and intrigue. The rock walls were flush with engravings. Symbols, geometric shapes, wheels, faint shapes of animals and humans vied with each other to grab your attention. It actually resembled how a blank sheet of paper would look after giving a kid a free hand to draw whatever they wanted!
The stone carvings indicate the presence of a prehistoric settlement in the cave dating back to 6000 BCE in the Neolithic period.
The carvings and painting inside the cave are from different periods and suggest that the cave was inhabited at different periods in history. A connection to the Indus Valley Civilization is also probable and being explored by experts.
The Edakkal Caves Wayanad is not actually a cave but is a rock shelter that has been naturally formed by a piece of rock splitting away from the main body. The Edakkal Cave measures approximately 96 Ft. by 22 Ft., and has a depth of about 30 Ft. A cleft between two huge rocks provides a spectacular but narrow view of the outside world.
History and Myths of the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
We now know how the Edakkal Caves Wayanad was discovered in 1895 by Fred Fawcett. But there are many myths associated with the caves. One of the myths is that Lord Rama shot an arrow at the mountain leaving a deep cleft and forming what we now know as the Edakkal Cave. The caves are situated on top of the Ambukuthi Hills and the name itself roughly translates in Malayalam as “Pierced by an arrow”. The name Edakkal itself also translates as, “stone in between”, in Malayalam.
Exiting the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
Once you are inside the main chamber of the Edakkal Caves, there is only one way out and that is the same steel stairs that you use to descend. We heard that the number of visitors allowed at a time inside may be restricted in case of heavy crowds for this very reason.
We waited to allow a huge group of school kids to ascend the steep stairs before making our way down. The exit and entrance are common for part of the way and then separate. The descent down was expectedly faster and we did not have to go through the rocky path or the lower chamber of the cave. Reveling in the fresh and unpolluted air, feasting our eyes on the lovely views we made good time to reach back to the parking lot where our car was parked, but not before feasting on some of the homemade chocolates that we picked up on the way.
It was a very satisfying experience and we rank Edakkal Caves as one of the best places to visit in Wayanad. The stone age carvings at the Edakkal caves were the highlight of the visit to this place. A one day trip to the Edakkal Caves when in Wayanad is a must. We loved it; as on the one hand, it had the thrill of adventure, while on the other the Edakkal Caves fed our curiosity and interest in the origins and evolution of Man.
Edakkal Caves Route Map
Edakkal Caves, Wayanad, Nenmeni, Kerala 673595
Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.
Good to Know Information Before Going to the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
- One should earmark at the least 4 hours for exploring the Edakkal Caves inclusive of about two hours of trekking to and fro to the caves
- The Edakkal Caves steps are steep and not for those whose physical fitness levels are not as desired
- The Edakkal Caves are open from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM and can be visited throughout the year, but it is best to avoid visiting during the rains as the paths would be slippery
- Try to visit the Edakkal Caves on weekdays as it may get a little crowded on weekends, the caves are closed on Mondays
Other Places of Interest near the Edakkal Caves Wayanad, Kerala
Historical tourism in Wayanad is very interesting apart from eco-tourism and nature tourism. Places like the Edakkal caves are of great historical significance. Below are some of the attractions to experience when you are in the Wayanad district.
- Chembra Peak
- Wayanad Heritage Museum
- Soochipara Falls
- Banasura Sagar Dam
- Pookude Lake
- Chain Tree
- Kuruvadweep or Kuruwa Island
- Jain Temple at Sulthan Bathery
Where to Stay when visiting Edakkal Caves
One should plan for a minimum of 3-4 days itinerary for Wayanad as there are many attractions to be experienced apart from the Edakkal Caves. There is no dearth of accommodation options which range from resorts in Wayanad to homestays and hostels. One can stay in Kalpetta or Sulthan Bathery or Vythiri and from there explore the prehistoric Edakkal Caves, Wayanad. We stayed at a quaint villa in Vythiri amidst lush tea gardens.
Voyager FAQ on the Edakkal Caves Wayanad
- Where are the Edakkal Caves located?
The Edakkal Caves are located in a small village by the same name in the district of Wayanad which is located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. - What are the timings for the Edakkal Caves?
The Edakkal Caves can be visited between 9.30 AM and 4.30 PM. - What is the Edakkal Caves trekking distance?
The distance from the parking area to the Edakkal Caves is approximately 1.5 kilometers. - What about the Edakkal Caves entry fee?
There is a nominal ticket charge for entry into the Edakkal Caves as well as a separate charge for a camera. - What about the Edakkal Caves to Kuruva Island distance?
The Kuruva Island is at a distance of about 45 kilometers from the Edakkal Caves. - What is the Bangalore to Edakkal Caves distance?
The Edakkal Caves are about 280 kilometers from the city of Bangalore. - How about Sulthan Bathery to Edakkal caves distance?
Edakkal Caves are about 13.6 kilometers from Sulthan Bathery. - How about Kalpetta to Edakkal caves distance?
Edakkal Caves are at a distance of about 25 kilometers from Kalpetta. - Why visit the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad?
The Edakkal Caves are a must visit for its Neolithic stone carvings that date back to 6000 BCE. The trek to the Edakkal caves is also an adventure in itself. - Are the Edakkal Caves the earliest centers of human habitation in Wayanad?
The Edakkal Caves in Wayanad are proof of the existence of early stone age inhabitants in Wayanad and in fact, are the first archaeological sites pertaining to the Neolithic age to be discovered in South India. - How far is it from Edakkal Caves to Chembra Peak?
Chembra Peak is at a distance of about 35 kilometers from Edakkal Caves. - Are Edakkal Caves one of the top attractions in Wayanad?
Yes, indeed we rank the Edakkal Caves as one of the top attractions in Wayanad and a must see in Wayanad.
We love archaeological sites which tell an intriguing story of the evolution of Man and his migration from Africa. That is why we loved the archaeological sites of Mlheia in Sharjah as well as the Edakkal Caves. Are you interested in archaeological sites? Which is your favorite archaeological sites? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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This sounds like an absolutely stunning destination. I had never heard of it before, but totally want to visit after reading this.
Wow, there is so much to explore. You must have had a great time! Thank you for sharing all the helpful information and that lovely story.
So cool! I’ve always wanted to explore caves. I know there are some nearby that I need to check out.
I would love to explore that. I’ve been to a couple of caves and they are always so cool and so different from each other.
It’s a rough climb but it’s really worth it once you see what you got yourself into. I think it’s something that people should experience if they ever visit Wayanad.
It must feel wonderful to be able to go through the number of steps and to witness the magnificence of this cave! Its history is worth hearing and the place worth capturing!
How fun that would have been to have discovered this. I love the etchings. I also love the souvenir spots along the way!
What an amazing destination this is! India is super high on my travel bucket list so I’ll definitely have to check this out if I’m ever in the area.
This sounds like a great experience!! You talk about steep roads, a steep rocky stair, and hoisting yourself between rocks.. Would you recommend this travel with children? It sounds quite hard, but I have to admit that the rocks and the view on top look indeed spectacular!
Edakkal caves can be visited with kids depending on their age. If they are too small to walk then it would be quite challenging.
Never been to India or even heard of these caves. Would be beautiful to see in person.
What an incredible place to visit! My daughter would love to run into the monkeys along the way too!
Wow! That’s a lot of history right there! I am always fascinated with archeological sites. I have been to Bangalore, but this is 280 km from the city. Quite far. The view though is amazing and so serene
Wow, what an experience to see something like this! I would love to see this one day, the history behind it as well as the amazing views would be a great adventure!
The sky looks so bright and blue there. I think caves like that would be interesting to see, although the steep steps might be problematic for me.
Wow, this is so interesting. The carvings are so cool. So interesting to look at something so old. I love that you include the map and all the tips at the end. Very useful. Hope I get to see it one day 😀
Oh my goodness what an absolutely amazing sounding place to get to explore. I have to admit caves fascinate me, I often wonder how they were used, what people walked the stone and what they were thinking as they carved.
Wow, how amazing to see those Stone Age carvings in person. This looks like such a wonderful place to visit to get a sense of history.
This place reminds me of the petroglyphs in Rizal, Philippines. I love how you wrote the article. It’s informative and worth the read. 🙂
What a cool place! So much history and adventure there. My family would love to go there.
I’ve read several travel blogs about India. I’m starting to really understand that India is so rich with history. There are so many interesting things to see and do!
this place seems like a very challenging one… but i can tell from your story and photographs the long, physically-demanding trek is all worth it. i really would love to visit india.. there seems to be a lot of beautiful places and history awaiting for travelers!
It’s strange to me to see monkeys in the wild and not behind a glass in the zoo. I think it would be great to see those cave carvings in person.
It’s great to see how well the caves are being preserved so much so that we still have the privilege to be able to admire prehistoric carvings on the walls. I would love to see them for myself – thank you for sharing about this tranquil place with great scenery and history! 🙂
I love how were able to share your experiences and also thank you for sharing the informations. I learned something from this post. I hope I will be able to visit this serene place in the future as well.
This is really fascinating and it looks like a wonderful experience too. The Edakkal cave wall actually gives a feel of freehand drawing done by a kid. The hike looks quite steep too. Is that staircase too narrow or stairs are too high?
What a great experience and your pictures are so amazing! I would be scared for the hike!
I would love to explore the history of The Edakkal Caves. I cannot believe those carvings are over 8000 years old! I cannot even imagine how that must feel to be in the presence of something like that. The walk up to the caves look absolutely stunning as well!
I always like to explore archaeology site like this. It is interesting how much history is behind the carvings. It is good to see that such a site is well-preserved and made available to the public.
Wow such beautiful caves and they have amazingly intricate carvings! Sounds like a tiring climb but worth it for the view!
Hi!
I love this post! Caves are so cool and interesring to explore! I love the way you write and take the reader on a journey!
Definitely on my list now!
Great thorough information and effort! Thank you!
This place looks amazing! I would love to visit and explore the historic site like this. I also love Indian foods 🙂
nice brilliant awesome amazing its wonderful post i like your thought thanks for this
I love visiting caves ! Especially those with a great history ! Theres always something very magical about them! Those Edakkal Caves looks amazing! India has so many hidden gems! I can’t wait to visit!
We went to Edakkal caves last year. It was not a particularly hot day, yet the walk seemed like never ending. And luckily, that gave us the sense to leave our daughter with our parents at the foot of the steps while we went ahead to climb. It’s not an easy one, and we were glad we left the elderly and the kid behind while we tried it. But once on the top, it’s really fascinating to see the caves, the carvings and around.
Thx for the fascinating post about the Edakkal Caves Wayanad. I’ve had an increasing number of friends now visit the Kerala area and it is gaining a spot on my bucket list.
I like that in between those rocks inside the cave, there are stairs. At least they made it tourist friendly, so to speak. Edakkal cave is seriously cool! I mean look at those carvings, I don’t think I’ve been in cave anywhere in my country with ancient carvings. I have always been curious about the ancient way of living, thus, a glimpse of the past sends me a thrill like no other. I would definitely visit Eddakal cave when I get a chance. By the way, I was surprised when I saw the pictures with the other tourists, I really, in the beginning, you had the caves all to yourself haha…
Wow, carvings dating back to 6000 BCE in the Neolithic period! Never heard of this place but now I know why the Kerala Blog Express is popular especially with so many other places of interest near The Edakkal Caves Wayanad.
Wow, how cool. I’ve been to places like this in the USA, not elsewhere. “Once inside the cave, the feeling was one of awe and intrigue,” that is exactly how I have experienced caves with cave art. Truly inspiring, indeed. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Quite an adventure! What a cute little monkey! Too bad the camera mis-focused. 🙁 The stairs getting into the cave looked quite treacherous…were they as bad as they looked?
I really love caves and always try and visit them if there are some in the vicinity of my destination! The engravings look amazing and it looks like it’s an awesome day trip! Definitely will be looking out for this! Thanks for such a comprehensive guide!
Very informative post! I love seeing ancient cave painting and carvings. These caves in Kerala look stunning!
What an incredible experience. It’s interesting you didn’t need a guide to view the carvings. Sounds like a lot of walking, but it definitely looks worth it. And good choice on buying chocolates, that’s exactly what I would have bought.
The stone carvings are amazing! It reminded me of the scene from Game of Thrones! It sounds like it was quite a trek to get to Edakkal Caves with the rocky trails. I would have most likely been out of breath too, but I’m sure it’s so worth it 🙂
The archeology aspect of this cave is really interesting to me. My first thought is how early humans found these caves to be the place to ‘document.’ The LAST place I want to be is in a cave… But it is so cool to have something of our history to go see.
Wayanad has suddenly become so popular now.. I guess it’s because of spots like these.. The view was great and all the ancient carvings always makes me wonder as to how they must have done that.. It still lasts even today!
I love the history of the Edakkal Caves! It sounds like a tough hike, but steep hikes are my favorite kind. It’d make you appreciate your journey to the caves much more.
Love how you start with the viewpoint of Fred Fawcett, the discoverer of these amazing caves and cave art! I’ve not been to Wayanad at all before, (or indeed anywhere in Kerala) but am bookmarking this for a future visit. And I’m loving the views as you climbed up the staircase too.
I would love to see carvings from the stone age, and while you already mentioned the chocolate…as a chocolate addict I would buy that chocolate too. 🙂
Amazing! A great walk through the caves under the trees with monkeys! It was awesome to learn that there are ancient stone age carvings in the cave and they remained after thousands of years! @ knycx.journeying
Wow, I had heard of Edakkal caves but never got to see the images. These images look very different from all other rock shelter carvings I have seen. I can see a lot of wheels and long lines – unlike the usual geometric figures. Any ASI reference for these caves?
It would definitely be exciting to see something in nature so well preserved for all these years. Imagine what we can learn about the ancient cultures from these drawings. The journey there seems like it was worth it.
I am recollecting the steel railing for climb up the mountain. The path looks so familiar. I am so glad they are maintaining it well.. Those legends associated with the cave are so interesting.
I love hiking and special places like caves and such. It is so exciting to go in and wonder what will you see there. I have read about Kerala and would love to visit one day.
Thanks for sharing your experience. This place seemed so cool. I’ve never visited a cave before, so this seems like an experience I could really enjoy with my family.
The caves and the carvings beneath it are as enticing and mesmerizing as the stories behind it. I love how you weaved the words. I might not be a fan of caves but your stories are a reason to check them out too.
I’ve never heard of these caves before, but the region of Kerala keeps coming on to my radar these days! I think I need to learn more about this region! #FeetDoTravel
By the sound of it you need to be pretty fit and agile to visit this cave. That metal staircase has my stomach doing backflips. But by the sound of it, it really is worth the climb. What an amazing piece of history. And I loved how you started this article.
Eddekal caves are a firm establishment of the Early man days. It is fascinating how those rocks have survived the years. I have been attempting a revisit for years now but well….maybe soon
!
Oh, imagine what it would be like to discover something like that! I’ve never heard of Edakkal caves before, but I love the vegetation surrounding the hiking path, the cave complex, and then the view is amazing! Sounds like my kind of daytrip!
Your story is so captivating! I’m a huge fan of spelunking, and seeing those caves would be great fun! I still can’t believe how much there is to do in India. Maybe I should just follow in so many footsteps and spend a few months there in 2019.
This article is so cool! I really love to visit Kerala one day – but I didn`t know anything about this caves! Thanks for this great informations – I will definately put this on my bucket list
This looks like such a memorable adventure – I love that you had such fantastic chocolate to enjoy along the way!
This trek is certainly not for the faint of heart or for anyone not in good shape. But the final destination looked fascinating. The inside of the caves must have told an interesting story. I am glad the monkeys were not to precocious along the way!
I am always intrigued by ancient carvings and these neolithic carvings are mesmerizing! I never imagined they would be ALL over the rocks like in your photo! The views are pretty awesome too! I need to get to India!
Wow ! This is very interesting and detailed post with FAQs also.
It’s a tough steep climb but it’s really worth it once you see what you got as a result.
A must do if people visit Wayanad.
What a fascinating place to discover. It looks like it was well worth the climb to gaze on the ancient stone carvings. Places like this are so interesting to me. We have visited a few North American caves sites that have carvings, and I’m always in awe of being in a location that has so many personal stories that we may never fully know or understand.
Kerala is one of my favorite spots in India, but I’m not sure how I missed the wonderful Edakkal Caves. Now I have good reason to return!
Oh my goodness, I’m obsessed with visiting caves when I travel. This looks like such an amazing adventure! I’m certainly going to have to add these ones to my list. Can’t wait to explore. Love your pics!
I have never heard of these caves, but I am fascinated by ancient peoples, and would love to see these carvings. It looks a bit like a hard slog up all of those steps, but as you say, it’s worth it. What time of year would be the best to visit?
The drawing on the caves are so cool! I’d love to see that!
What an amazing adventure in the Edakkal Caves Wayanad. The hiking through the forest on the trail to the opening would be fun and then opens up to amazing views. Enjoyed the myths and photos. Thanks for sharing! #feetdotravel
Wow! What an amazing adventure! Exploring the caves dating back to the stone age and Indus Valley Civilization is a surreal experience. The carvings are extremely fascinating and provide a great insight into different bygone eras. I would so love to explore Edakkal Caves on my visit to Kerala. Thanks for sharing the details.
I absolutely love cave exploring! This is definitely something I would want to do! Those cave carvings are amazing.
This reminds me of the trip to Thien Duong Cave. It is fortunate that the stair we used is quite ok for a lot of visitors to use at the same time. Nice pictures by the way.
I must have been to Wayanad countless times. However, I’m yet to visit Edakkal caves. I’ll be certain to visit them the next time I’m there. Your post will certainly come in handy when I do manage to get there.