Friday, 12 July 2019

Rock Engravings / Petroglyph in Edakkal Caves, Wayanad District, Kerala.

23rd June 2019.
The main purpose of this visit was to see the approximately 8000-year-old prehistoric Petroglyph or the engravings of Edakkal Caves in Kerala. These two Caves are on the Ambukuthi Hill near Ambalavayil in Wayanad District of Kerala State erstwhile Malabar State, which is about 12 KM from Sultan Bathery.  The site consists of Two caves one above the other at a height of 1200 meters above MSL. The visit to the bottom cave was closed. The top cave was formed by three rocks ( Two rocks and a big rock in between ) hence called Edakkal (idaikal – இடைக்கல்). As per the legend this Hill Ambukuthi hill was formed by the shooting of arrows by Sri Ram’s sons Lava & Kusha.  And the Surpanakha was killed on this hill by Sri Ram.


The Caves have the engravings / Petroglyphs of the Neolithic period. Experts of the opinion that this Petroglyph belongs to 6000 BCE. The petroglyph depicts human beings, animals like Elephants and deer, carts with Wheels, hand tools, symbols, etc. It throws light on the culture and habits of Neolithic human beings. The males and females are shown wearing crown-like arrangements on their heads. This petroglyph is the largest one in South India.


In addition to the Petroglyph,  Old Tamizhi (Brahmi – 1800 years old), Sanskrit, and Vattezhuthu ( 6th Century ) inscriptions are  found. The 12th to 14th Century Tamil inscription reads as “Palpuli Thathakari” (பல்புலிதத்தகாரி) (there is a place Pulpally is still there in Wayanad District). The Tamizhi (Brahmi) inscription says “Chera“ (“கடுமி புதசேர”) (This place was known as Chera Nadu before 14th Century). Archaeologist Natana Kasinathan identified “O Pazhami" (ஒ பழமி) (means பழையோள்the earliest Tamil Goddess) as Tamil inscription. In 2012 a Tamil Brahmi / Tamizhi inscription was also identified.

This cave was identified in 1890 CE, by F Fawcett, Superintendent of Police of erstwhile Malabar District. In addition to the masonry steps, Stainless steel steps are provided to climb up the hill.

CAUTION:
Visiting of Caves is a combination of trekking on the hill and climbing stainless steel steps. Hence those who are suffering from Heart problems are advised not to venture.

CAVE VISITING HOURS:
The visitors are allowed  between 08.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs and the holidays are All Mondays, Republic, May Day, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanthi, and Thiruvonam.

HOW TO REACH:
The trekking distance is about 3 KM.
12 KM from Sultan Bathery
The edakkal caves may be easily approached through Gundlupet  (Night hours are permitted travel on this road due to animal movement) Karnataka is 70 km, Kozhikode 110 km, and 103 km from 0oty.

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:   
11°37′28.81″N  and 76°14′8.88″E -- CLICK HERE

A Cart with a wheel  
                                          A Lady on a cart



 An elephant



The neolithic tools

 Edakkal - இடைகல்( the center one )



The Team
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

1 comment:

  1. The figures appear dressed in elaborate garments and in formal groups.Are similar examples of these figures present in any other archaeological context in the area?

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