Edakkal Caves in Nenmeni
The name ‘Edakkal’ literally means a stone in between. As the name indicates, it seems that it was formed by an enormous boulder straddling a massive fissure in a gigantic rock, creating a covered space.
Inside Edakkal cave, you will see two chambers. First one is entered via a opening, opposite of that opening, a passage leads at another way which goes to second strata of Edakkal, much bigger in size than the first one. The first chamber is 18 ft long, 12 ft wide, 10 ft high. The second chamber is 96 ft long, 22 ft wide, and 18 ft high. Edakkal is the only known place in India with Stone Age carvings. You will sight carvings of animal figures and human or objects carved on the walls of the caves which is a great evidence for a highly civilized society who lived in the pre-historic age.
Located 1,200 meters above sea, the caves were discovered in 1890, by Fred Fawcett, the then SP of the Malabar district, on his hunting trip to Wayanad. He discovered Edakkal, on the western side of Edakkalmala. To his surprise, he identified it as a early habitat of Neolithic age.
Usually brimming with explorers, there is an uphill trek of a kilometre to reach the caves. On the way up there is a chapel carved with stories from the Holy Bible. The way inside consists uneven rocks, iron ladder which is surrounded with walls made out of rocks covered with moss and lichen. Most carvings remain clear and animal or human figures made out with surprising clarity have survived. Three distinct sets of petro glyphs is seen inside Edakkal. Some depictions are 7000 years. A telescope is installed a few feet from the caves that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding country.
Here, one of the stories is that, these caves are said to be formed with the arrows of Lava and Kusha, the sons of Sri Rama. The second one is associated with Kutti Chathan and the Goddess Mudiampilly. People take pilgrimage to seek blessings of Goddess.