Edakkal Caves, Wayanad, Kerala

The Wayanad trip was totally unplanned and something that came up at the spur of the moment. You can read more on how we ended up here in a previous post. After a hearty breakfast, we were all geared up to start with the sightseeing. Our driver, Vinu, turned up right on time with the Jeep. On the way to Edakkal Caves, our first destination, it started raining and our spirits dampened anticipating a wet trip ahead. Edakkal Caves, around 25 kms from Wayanad, is a popular attraction with fascinating pre-historic rock carvings on the walls of the caves, some of these date as far back as 5000 years. This was informed to us by Vinu, who also doubled as our Tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the district for that matter.

Surprisingly, despite the continuous rains, the place was brimming with tourists. There was a half mile trek uphill to reach the actual caves. People draped in plastic covers of an assortment of colours were making their way slowly up the hill. The localites had come up with an innovative way to promote business despite the monsoons and in the process make some money. They were selling large plastic covers which one can use as a rain coat for protection from the rains. And these were in huge demand among the tourists. With no other option but to get our feet wet, we also joined in and draped in bright red covers started making our way uphill. But due to the rain, I decided to leave my SLR behind in the Jeep and only carried my pocket camera. On the way to the top, there were some modern carvings near a small chapel. The carvings had been etched beautifully in the rocks depicting stories from the Bible.



After some steep climbing we reached the first of the caves. The caves themselves are formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. Climbing over uneven rocks and avoiding the small streams which seemed to be running everywhere due to the rains, we made our way ahead. The water flowing through these streams added to the mysterious aura of the place.



We climbed through some rocks and then an iron ladder which has been placed there to facilitate visitors. At the top, it was a cliff face and some way ahead we could see the opening to the final cave. The place has been gated in an effort to preserve these prehistoric relics. There was an iron ladder and we had to climb down to get to to the cave.



Finally, we were in the actual cave which was by now filled with eager tourists taking their pictures. The walls of the cave was covered in different types of carvings. Most will resemble the drawings of a two year old, but I could make out the pictures of a tribal king (I presumed since he was wearing some kind of crown) with a spear in his hand. I was lost for a few momemts, travelling thousands of years back in time when stone age people here in this cave were recording their thoughts and feelings on the walls. Coming back to the present, I got busy clicking some pictures.



I was able to take only a limited number of pictures due to the rains. Still, immensely enjoyed the trek. The moonsoons added a unique feeling to the whole experience which probably I would have missed during the normal tourist season. I still miss the taste of the hot cup of coffee I had in a small stall on the way back from the caves. It tasted like the most satisfying drink I ever had. The monsoons continued throughout the whole trip. And we were glad of the plastic covers. The only irritant was having to spend two days in wet socks. Not a warm fuzzy feeling, you can take my words for it.