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 Effortlessly binding history and
traditional values, the Edakkal Hermitage combines spectacular vistas of nature
and the timeless appeal of heritage of the nearby pre-historic Edakkal caves,
with its warm ambience and vernacular architecture. It is in this amazing
environ that one can be as captivated by the past as with the present. It is
undoubtedly here that one can explore the essence of Edakkal to experience its
magic. It is irrepressibly here that one can succumb to the lure of cave art and
the art of caving in…
Introduction :
One of the principal motives behind the
conception of the Edakkal Hermitage was to call upon world wide attention to the
significance and the value of the heritage that we as a nation have inherited in
the form of pre historic etchings at the Edakkal Rock Shelters. Although
certified by many a prominent historian as being unique world wide to these
terrains and as the ‘richest pictographic gallery of its kind’, the academic
interest that was generated was relatively mute and limited. Ever since the
Edakkal Hermitage was established as a base camp, the interest in these rock
shelters has risen to a great extent with an exponential increase in the visitor
numbers. This also rejuvenated an interest amongst even the locals on the
shelters, many of whom have found alternative employment catering to the needs
of the increased number of
visitors. However the quest towards attaining
an ultimate world heritage status and an enhancement in terms of the quality of
the visit for the traveller still continues and we are striving towards it.
Contour Dakshin
Edakkal Hermitage was conceived and is managed
by the architectural partnership concern Contour Dakshin. As a basic principal,
Contour Dakshin is committed to the conception and implementation of a design
strategy that is sustainable in essence and respects vernacular traditions. We
have adhered to the same during the establishment of the Edakkal Hermitage too.
We are founding members and active players in the Wayanad Tourism Organisation
which is a conglomerate of stake holders within the tourism industry in Wayanad,
established to bring about a responsible, controlled and sustainable form of
tourism in the district.
Sustainable and
Responsible Tourism:
Environment:
Our location being on the slope of a hill, primarily involved the challenge of
preventing soil erosion, especially during the heavy rains. Pits at strategic
locations to harvest the flow of rain water as well as contour based earth
retention has enabled us to prevent this form of erosion to a great extent. It
also supported us in our venture to plant over 500 trees on the relatively
barren hills that we inherited about 10 years back. Spring water which is our
main source is harnessed and brought to the resort using gravity, minimising the
usage of artificial forms of energy for the same.
Size and nature of cottages were entirely based
on the terrain available and the vegetation around it. Hence most of our
cottages are perched on top of rocks and are wrapped around it. Materials have
all been locally sourced and needless to say the design adheres to vernacular
trends. The tree house is about as close to nature as it gets with a completely
bamboo based structure supported entirely on a tamarind tree and executed by the
craftsmen from ‘Uravu; a locally based NGO unit that specialises in bamboo
crafts and workmanship.
Social and
Cultural Concerns:
We the people who own and run the property are locals and reside within Wayanad.
Besides that, all our support staff are also resident locals from various
disciplines who have been trained to work in this service industry.
Culturally we have responded to both the Kerala state on the whole with features
that relate to the Wayanad district in particular in our property. An
amphitheatre within our property, hosts various programmes like tribal dances of
the local community as well as martial arts displays by groups from other parts
of Kerala. An Ayurvedic offering by the local hospital Ayur Kendra from Kalpetta
is amongst the facilities that the guests may avail of during their stay here.
We strive to instil amongst the locals a sense of pride in our belonging to this
region and its culture through the appreciation that visitors from outside
provide.
Economic
Concerns
Economic benefits are all filtered down to the local economy. We encourage our
guests to explore the rest of Wayanad, the wild life sanctuaries, utilising the
local forms of transport like jeeps available. Besides the vegetables and fruits
that we grow within the property, everything else is sourced from the local
market.
Any one who visits our property, besides having
had a good holiday experience can go back with a proud feeling that they have
been able to contribute to the general well being of the populace and
environment of the district on the whole. We do try and adhere to the Kerala
model of development in general which combines ordinary people and ordinary
materials and resources available no further than the local village to create an
extraordinary global product.
Facilities
We offer a host of visitor services an
information centre, camping facilities and cottage accommodation. Other
facilities include a little restaurant that serves traditional Malayali cuisine,
a shop of souvenirs and books, and an open-air theatre for cultural and heritage
events.
We also organize trips to other interesting
places in and around Wayanad like the Muthanga wild life sanctuary, nature
reserves, water falls, historic relics and ancient temples.
Accommodation
Our cottages are named after various Paleolithic
caves sites of repute from around the world
WADI KUBBANIYA
We have christened the tree house
“Wadi Kubbaniya” --- an adventurous sounding name that has been borrowed from
one of the cave sites in Egypt, Africa that dates back to 17000 BC
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Altamira
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Lascaux
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Chauvet
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Kapova
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Edakkal
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