Heritage spots in Wayanad

Edakkal Caves

Nestled in the Wayanad district of Kerala, the Edakkal Caves are popular for its pre-historic rock engravings. Edakkal translates to ‘a stone in between’. This epic cave was formed by a heavy boulder straddling a fissure in the rock. These caves were discovered in 1895 by Fred Fawcett, Superintendent of Police of Malabar District during his hunting trip. It is located at a height of 1000 metres, on the Ambukuthi Hill. Take in the aroma of coffee as you trek up the hill. Treat your eyes to the beautiful coffee plantations and jackfruit trees. It will take you from 45 minutes to an hour to climb this hill. The pictorial writings on these rocks date back to at least 6,000 BCE, belonging to Neolithic Age. From weird shaped figures and spirals to animal and human figures, you’ll find them all engraved on the rock surface. According to studies, some of these carvings also belong to the Indus Valley Civilization.

Wayanad Heritage Museum

Wayanad Heritage museum is situated at Ambalavayal, about 12 km from Sulthan Bathery. It is one of the largest and best archaeological museums in Kerala. There are many places in Wayanad which have great archaeological and anthropological relevance. Edakkal Caves is one of them and during the1980s there were large scale research and preservation attempts of these caves. The anthropologists who were engaged in this task collected innumerable artefacts from the district, mainly from places like Ambalavayal, Sultan Bathery and the forests of Wayanad.  These attempts brought in more interest from the district authorities and together with anthropologists, the authorities enhanced the mission to excavate more artefacts of archaeological relevance. Many relics were unearthed from Muthanga, Nalluvayal, Edathara and many other places of the district.  The efforts became very successful when students from various colleges in the district as well as from Calicut University also started participating and collecting relics from various regions of Malabar. Even the local people came out with many artefacts used by the tribes. The authorities started thinking of ways to preserve these relics and with the help of the state Archaeology Department, a museum was established at Ambalavayal.

Pazhassi Raja Tomb

The Pazhassi Tomb is where thousands regularly pay homage to the famous Lion of Kerala, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja. The tomb was constructed in the place where his body was cremated, and is situated on the banks of River Kabini in Mananthavady. In 1996 March this tomb has been converted to museum and today the museum is one of the centres in the State which attracts historians, researchers and students from far and wide. The museum also contains Pazhassi Raja’s sword and other information about the cultural history of Kerala. The memorial is managed by the Kerala State Archaeology Department. Pazhassi Raja, a fierce King, is among the few leaders in the Indian sub-continent to ever score a military victory over the British. He is remembered for his love and undying loyalty towards his subjects till the very end. The Pulpally Cave was where Pazhassi took refuge until he was captured by the British.

Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala, near the border with Karnataka state. No proper records of the exact dates of establishment of temple exist, though it is beyond dispute, that Thirunelli was once an important town and pilgrim centre in the middle of an inaccessible jungle valley surrounded by mountains on four sides . The name Thirunelli derives from the nelli, the Tamil/Malayalam and Kannada word for Indian gooseberry of the Amla tree. Veda vyasa wrote the 18 existing Puranas. The Matsya Purana, Skanda Purana, Narasimha Purana, Padma Purana, and many other Puranas and Hindu texts mention the beautiful Vishnu temple as being built by Lord Brahma, located in the picturesque Sahya valley, deep in the middle of forest of unmatchable beauty, and in these texts, it is referred to as “Sahyamalaka Kshetra.” According to tradition, Lord Brahma was traveling round the Universe on his hamsa, when he became attracted by the beauty of the area now known as Brahmagiri Hill. Descending on that spot, Brahma noticed an idol, set in an Amla tree. Brahma recognized the idol as Lord Vishnu Himself and the place as Vaikuntha (Vishnuloka) itself. With the help of the Devas, Brahma installed the idol and called it Sahyamalak Kshetra. At Brahma’s request Vishnu promised that the waters of the area would wash away all sins. Thus, the spring and river near the temple is called Papanasini: “washes away all sins”. Even today the head priest of the temple leaves a portion of the worship materials in the belief that Lord Brahma Himself will come and perform pooja rites deep in the holy hours of morning.