Edakkal Caves
Kerala is not your typical Indian holiday. It has a surprising mixed climate which means you can have a beach stay, visit lush green tea plantations or stay in the middle of a rain forest! We were thrilled to discover that Kerala also has caves…
Edakkal caves are located 12,000 feet above sea level in Wayanad, Kerala. It is a 45 minute trek to get to the natural caves beside an ancient trade route with ancient burial spots nearby. Although it is a bit of a trek to get there, we definitely recommend visit to the caves that are ‘shrouded in mystery’.
The caves were re-discovered in 1895 and have been a source of wonder for historians and tourists alike. There are two caves and evidence suggests that they were inhabited a number of times throughout history. At one point as far back as the Stone Age.
Petroglyphs
The engravings found in the caves are called petroglyphs, the oldest thought to be over 8,000 years. They are forms of ‘rock art’
The carvings in the caves are of great variety: human and animal figures, tools used by humans and of symbols yet to be deciphered. Also scripts in different languages have been discovered here. The drawings certainly point to the Neolithic era.
We highly recommend a trip to Edakkal caves on your tour of Kerala.