Address
Edakkal Caves
Nenmeni, Kalpetta,
Wayanad, Kerala 673595
Directions: Google Maps
Support
Phone: 1-800-425-4747 (Kerala Tourism)
Phone: 04936 202 134 (Kalpetta office)
Email: nil
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About Edakkal Caves
Trailing along the Western Ghats, the Edakkal Caves are a natural wonder, situated 16 km from Sulthan Bathery, and 25 km from Kalpetta, in Wayanad district of God’s own country, Kerala. Located on the picturesque Ambukuthi Mala, the Edakkal Caves are 1200 m above sea level, and belong to the prehistoric Stone Age, dating back to around 6000 BC.
It is fascinating to know that ‘Edakkal’, means ‘stone in between’, and literally defines the existence of a cave naturally formed by a large boulder, with an oddly shaped triangular fissure in the rock. The Edakkal Caves have always sparked curiosity and attention, from archaeologists and historians, around the world, for its innate cave drawings and petroglyphs.
Discovered by Fred Fawcett, an English officer in 1890, the latter identified the Edakkal Caves as the habitat of a highly civilized society belonging to the Neolithic and Mesolithic Stone age. To reach Edakkal Caves, one has to trek the Ambukuthi Mala, surrounded by coffee plantations, and lush green thickets.
The Edakkal Caves are the oldest, and the only caves in South India, with Stone Age carvings, dating back to Neolithic and Mesolithic civilization. On the inside, there are 2 chambers, the lower chamber (18ft x 12ft x 10ft), and the upper chamber (96ft x 22ft x 18ft), inscribed with pictorial drawings of animals, humans, tools and objects, and around 700 signs of Tamil and Brahmi Script engravings. These cave drawings, point out evidence of early human settlements, belonging to the prehistoric Stone Age. The cave walls also depict 3 unique signs of petroglyphs, and some rare inscriptions, dating back to over 7000 years.
Attractions nearby Edakkal Caves include Wayanad Heritage Museum (3km), Neelimala View Point (7.4km), Kanthanpara Waterfalls (11.7km), Soochipara Waterfalls (12 km), and the Chethalayam Waterfalls (14km). The tourist season to visit Edakkal Caves is from October- February, and ideally the winter and early summer is the best for trekking, as the weather is pleasant and great for capturing scenic shots of the Ambukuthi Mala. It is best to avoid during the monsoon season, in the month of June and July.
The Edakkal Caves are open from Tuesday – Sunday, between 8:00am-4:00pm, and remains closed on Mondays. Booking of tickets is through the office at Ambukuthi Mala, and costs INR 30 for Indians, INR 50 for Foreigners and INR 20 for children below 12.
The Jeep shuttle service costs INR 70 per head, and can seat 8 persons, and is frequently available from the foot of the hill. Video is permissible and costs INR 100, and the time of duration to climb uphill and explore the caves is from 45 minutes to 2 hours. The nearest railway station is at Calicut (Kozhikode) and is 97 km from Edakkal Caves. The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, 23 Km from Kozhikode. Private buses and govt. buses frequently tour Calicut, and reach Sulthan Bathery, and from there jeeps, arranged by DTPC will drop off at the Ambukuthi Mala.
