The Marayoor-Kanthalloor region is home to the fascinating Muniyaras, ancient dolmens believed to date back to the Stone Age, between 30,000 BC and 14,000 BC. These prehistoric burial chambers are constructed by placing three large boulders upright and capping them with a massive stone, often featuring a semi-circular entrance hole resembling a gate. Similar to the Muniyaras found in Tamil Nadu’s Palani Hills, these structures are shrouded in local legend, with tales suggesting the Pandyas of the Stone Age built them for protection from wild animals and natural calamities or for sages to perform penance. Archaeological discoveries near the Muniyaras include large red and black clay pots, ornaments, and Stone Age weapons, indicating their cremation use. The Muniyara Dolmens, significant to historians, are majestic megalithic structures over a thousand years old, showcasing 15 different types from the Neolithic age. These remarkable remnants offer a captivating glimpse into the ancient past of Marayoor and Kanthalloor.
