People know Edakkal for its significant ancient cave inscriptions. What 'ups' the cave is not just its elevation and historic value, also the refreshingly green surroundings, the dense woods and the weird rocks that are scattered around.
We reached there one rainy morning. Luckily it didn't rain.
Our car stopped, and the mountain looked not just high, quite remote too. We were confused- is it the place? It looked so far.
Meanwhile other tourists, mostly interstate visitors were coming back. Oh boy, they looked victorious. And very sweaty regardless of the cool winds.
They confirmed there is no choice than to walk from the very same spot to all the way to the top. Looking how stunned some of us are, they couldn't help stop their cheeky smiles.
As we were getting out from car, I had a few minutes of delay due to a phone call. At the very same time, my uncle had talked to an American tourist, returning from the cave. The tourist told my uncle that he was interested in historic - cultural sites and had traveled the world. And this is the best place he ever been to.
I was shocked. I had that lost feeling because the tourist had just disappeared and I couldn't talk to him.
And haven't the tourism guys done a great job, in building the long walkway which blends so well with the surroundings. Thumbs up to them!
Well, we started the walk. Initially it was a walk through the muddy red ground where tractors were working.
Then the path led us through the woods......It became steeper too.
The rocks looked strange.
One more rock pic
Even more..
The path curved around rocks
We saw Edakkal hermitage. A place to stay, if you want to stay right at Edakkal. Curious, we decided to have a look there on return.
And finally we reaches the tourism office.
After purchasing tickets, we proceeded for the 'real climb'.
The scenery was awesome.
Then we had to walk through a chamber, or the bottom cave, if you like.
Another pic
Needless to say, I made it to the cave. He is the proof.
And another one.
and one more
Hail victorious! ( not dead yet, so can't add the last bit).
The tourism officials inside were soooo good. They explained very well about the inscriptions and even posed with us for photo. The way they talked, they seemed quite passionate about the place.
Edakkal Cave is a UNESCO heritage site. Historians say it could be as old as 6000 years. There are other opinions that the cave writings could be even 11000 years old.
Was in awe because I was feeling something that is hard to explain. And that was not a good feeling. But it was not the time to be taken over by anything because right in front of eyes was these ancient carvings. There were many questions popping inside my head, the main one being - what did they write in these picture drawings?
There was some drama inside the cave because somebody tried to scratch something on the wall. Luckily, before much damage it was noticed.
He was a young guy in his twenties, how pathetic he couldn't realize the value of something like this.
Well, the view from the top was a stunner. And the climb down, as usual, was much easier.
One more pic
Just after a stint to the sop of the mountain, I couldn't help watch these monkeys. How well they climb!
On the way back, we went inside Edakkal Hermitage. The receptionist showed us around. We saw the room which was constructed around a natural rock. Interesting!
The entrance-
Edakkal hermitage pic, again
The front view
And their tree house (was not in use then)
Edakkal is a must visit place of Wayanad, it you are a lover of history or nature. Be aware, not every one can reach up the cave as the climb is quite harsh.
Click here if you want to know more about Edakkal
Find us on Facebook
We reached there one rainy morning. Luckily it didn't rain.
Our car stopped, and the mountain looked not just high, quite remote too. We were confused- is it the place? It looked so far.
Meanwhile other tourists, mostly interstate visitors were coming back. Oh boy, they looked victorious. And very sweaty regardless of the cool winds.
They confirmed there is no choice than to walk from the very same spot to all the way to the top. Looking how stunned some of us are, they couldn't help stop their cheeky smiles.
As we were getting out from car, I had a few minutes of delay due to a phone call. At the very same time, my uncle had talked to an American tourist, returning from the cave. The tourist told my uncle that he was interested in historic - cultural sites and had traveled the world. And this is the best place he ever been to.
I was shocked. I had that lost feeling because the tourist had just disappeared and I couldn't talk to him.
And haven't the tourism guys done a great job, in building the long walkway which blends so well with the surroundings. Thumbs up to them!
Well, we started the walk. Initially it was a walk through the muddy red ground where tractors were working.
Then the path led us through the woods......It became steeper too.
The rocks looked strange.
Even more..
The path curved around rocks
We saw Edakkal hermitage. A place to stay, if you want to stay right at Edakkal. Curious, we decided to have a look there on return.
And finally we reaches the tourism office.
After purchasing tickets, we proceeded for the 'real climb'.
The scenery was awesome.
Then we had to walk through a chamber, or the bottom cave, if you like.
Another pic
Needless to say, I made it to the cave. He is the proof.
And another one.
and one more
Hail victorious! ( not dead yet, so can't add the last bit).
The tourism officials inside were soooo good. They explained very well about the inscriptions and even posed with us for photo. The way they talked, they seemed quite passionate about the place.
Edakkal Cave is a UNESCO heritage site. Historians say it could be as old as 6000 years. There are other opinions that the cave writings could be even 11000 years old.
Was in awe because I was feeling something that is hard to explain. And that was not a good feeling. But it was not the time to be taken over by anything because right in front of eyes was these ancient carvings. There were many questions popping inside my head, the main one being - what did they write in these picture drawings?
There was some drama inside the cave because somebody tried to scratch something on the wall. Luckily, before much damage it was noticed.
He was a young guy in his twenties, how pathetic he couldn't realize the value of something like this.
Well, the view from the top was a stunner. And the climb down, as usual, was much easier.
One more pic
Just after a stint to the sop of the mountain, I couldn't help watch these monkeys. How well they climb!
On the way back, we went inside Edakkal Hermitage. The receptionist showed us around. We saw the room which was constructed around a natural rock. Interesting!
The entrance-
Edakkal hermitage pic, again
The front view
And their tree house (was not in use then)
Edakkal is a must visit place of Wayanad, it you are a lover of history or nature. Be aware, not every one can reach up the cave as the climb is quite harsh.
Click here if you want to know more about Edakkal
Find us on Facebook
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