Gudiyam Caves--Cavern to prehistoric TimesLocality:Gudiyam
Landmark:Poondi reservoir
Type:Adventurous Trip
Google map location:A 90-kilometer drive from Chennai to
Gudiyam village past Poondi a road less traveled brings you to an inaccessible forest of evergreen and deciduous trees .This is where Robert Bruce Foote in 1863, a British geologist, discovered a stone tool - a hand axe, made, used and discarded by the Stone Age man - from a gravel pit in suburban in this place . The discovery, small but momentous, opened up an entire new area of research about the Paleolithic Age in the Tamilnadu region, and pushed back the antiquity of the Tamil man by
1,00,000 years.
We planned on Friday for the trek to this mystic place .On Saturday 9:15 am we 5 started in Ritz car and reached Gudiyam around 10:45am.On the way we took photos of the Poondi reservoir.The place was not polluted after long time I could feel silence and breathe fresh air.
The Gudiyam village is located at
11 km drive from Poondi reservoir.The road is not well maintained but adjustable .You need to consult the locals to find the way through.Most of the people are aware of the caves(kugai in Tamil).Mention kugai(caves) for them to guide you .
Take the road to Nambakkam to reach Goonipalyam. Right direction as shown in the photo.
If you traveling by car then you can park the vehicle at the end of the cement road ,there begins the forest .Jeeps and all terrain vehicle can go 400 meter more ,there is ample space for parking offer a biscuit packet to locals boys they can take care of your vehicle.I feel it is safe to stop the vehicle at the cement road to avoid any puncture.The invisible bike with luck of not being punctured and gutsy heart can go 3 km more inside the terrain.
The adventure begins,The locals in the last village will help you in showing the starting point . The trek for
7 km inside the lonely forest is all yours expect for the few stones painted in white act as route markers. The path for the first few km is big and easy to walk,On approaching near the mountain the pathway is full of pebbles and rocks.Follow the pathway ,dont divert as it is very difficult to trace back the route.Please wear
shoes to avoid any ankle twists.
First cave
The walk is around
4 km then you would see the
first cave.The right diversion from the pathway lead you to the steps for the first cave . On reaching the first cave you we amazed to see the big rock formation.We reached the cave around 1:30pm and had our lunch (2 slices of bread with Jam).Please clean the place after having your lunch and
don't pollute the place with plastic bags.
View Inside the first cave
We could see a path leading upwards near to cave ,we decided to take the path ,the route is slightly steep and full of pebbles(please proceed with caution),Within few meters of walk you can reach the top of the mountain .The
view from the top is spectacular and gives the complete map of the area. You will surrounded by greenery,it is worth to take photos.It would be like you are in the center of the forest.The feeling of standing in top of the hill is great. It is easy to climb up but be very cautious while getting down is difficult from the hills as the pebbles are slippery ,avoid if it rains.
From the top of the hill
Then after ample rest we got down from the first cave and proceeded further for another
3 km.The path get narrower and covered with thick bushes .
Second Cave
On nearing the
Second cave we could hear the sound of parrots and other birds. The view of this cave was spectacular,The entrance looks like a giant toadstool that has keeled over. And in contrast to the sun-drenched exterior, it is cool within .Look up at the ceiling I bet you will be awed at the sight of
massive beehives clinging to the porous & damp roof of the cave.The foul smell of bat can be sensed.
There resides a
Amman temple within the cave worshiped by locals.. A kindly
Amman deity sits in a framed photo, as other deities and their war-worn steeds stand impressively by. Colorful pieces of cloth are strung on a tall plant. The primordial silence is shattered only by the humming of bees and the querulous twitter of birds.We also spotted a snake skin inside the cave.
After taking lot of photos inside the cave we decided to walk back.This
journey was a cavern to the past and away from mechanical,polluted life in Chennai.The walk of 7km was deserving and adventurous.
We walked after on the way back and reached the car at 3:40 am and had our snacks at
Akshaya Bhavan in
Thiruvallur.The food was tasty and the place was well maintained.
Important Note- Shoes is compulsory as the pathway is rugged.
- Carry lots of Water (2ltr per person).
- Buy Food for the travel in Thiruvallur.
- No human contact for the 7 km trek
- Avoid plastic bags
- Avoid climbing up the hill during rains.
- Don't disturb the beehive it may prove disastrous
