engravings at the edakkal caves

According to The Hindu newspaper of 26th Sept 2009, "A rock engraving, indicating clear remnants of Harappan culture, has been found in the Edakkal caves in neighbouring Wayanad district, linking the Indus Valley civilisation with South India.

“There had been indications of remnants akin to the Indus Valley civilisation in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, but these new findings give credence to the fact that the Harappan civilisation had its presence in the region too and could trace the history of Kerala even beyond the Iron Age,” historian M R Raghava Varier said. "

Even before the latest findings, Edakkal Caves have attracted serious travellers for its pre-historic etchings and engravings. Brought to the attention of the world by an English officer Fred-Fawcett, the site was identified to be a habitat of Neolithic people (i.e. late Stone Age, c4000BC to c1700BC).

Except for the hue and cry that we hear when similar archeological findings are publicised, there is hardly any care being taken to maintain the sanctity of the site. If not for the interest shown by passionate individuals and responsible hoteliers nearby, the site would have been in doll drums long time back. Wayanad Tourism Organisation and some of the well-known archeologists in Kerala has been trying since 2007 to get the attention of UNESCO to declare the area amongst the World Heritage sites.

More information on similar sites are recorded in this website.


Wayanad: Where butterflies come home to. First advertisement on Wayanad from TBY

Rich in wildlife, Wayanad's mountainous terrain houses the best in wildlife and spreads the aroma of all possible spices found in Kerala. Situated in the southern region of the Deccan plateau bordering Karnataka state, this district is untouched by rail or air traffic and is approachable only by road.

The Blue Yonder organises responsible holidays in Wayanad which includes heritage and legend trails, rain forest trekking, bamboo rafting, spice tours, wildlife safari and walking tours. More information on our Malabar holidays can be found here.

Labels: Archeology, Edakkal Caves, Kerala, Neolithic sites, Responsible Tourism India, Wayanad

Monsoon clouds setting above the valley en route to Wayanad

Day before yesterday some of us from The Blue Yonder (Arun, Sandra, Gopi) went to visit our friends at Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Wayanad to update them on our recent initiatives and leveraging on our common interest. It was Suprabha Seshan who inspired us to launch the concept of 'One Metre Forest' in the villages where we come from. Similarly we came back smiling as she gave us another beautiful term to define the work Botanical Sanctuary is involved in : "Gardening the bio-sphere back into life". We don't think there is no other way to express what they do!! How beautiful...

Labels: Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary, Nila Foundation, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Travel, The Blue Yonder, Wayanad

TBY Featured in German by Clemens Berger in Der Standard Austria.

Labels: Austrian Radio, Kerala, Media, Press, Responsible Tourism, Responsible Travel, River Nila, Wayanad