One of the best-maintained museums in Kerala, the Heritage Museum here houses a rich collection of artifacts that standing testimony to the fact that there had been an advanced civilization that existed in the mountains of Wayanad. It is one of the largest and best archaeological museums in the state. Exhibits in the museum include many stone weapons, stone carvings, 14th to 16th-century sculptures, potteries of the Megalithic Age, hunting equipment, clay sculptures, and other interesting artifacts. Idols made of hard and soft rocks, which were believed to be worshipped by the ancient people too can be seen in the museum.
The exhibits collected are preserved in four blocks –Veerasmruthi, Gothrasmruthi, Devasmruthi, and Jeevanasmruthi. Veerasmruthi mainly includes different types of pictorial rock edicts known as Veerakkallu or Hero Stones, which talk about the valiant warriors of the bygone era. Hero Stones had been erected on the tombs of warriors to commemorate their heroic deeds – be it in a war or an attempt to kill wild animals like tigers.
Gothrasmruthi and Jeevansmruthi sections are related to articles associated with tribal life. Tribal artifacts like headgear, jewelry, hunting and fishing weapons, cowbells, farming implements and musical instruments are on display here.
The artifacts exhibited in the Devasmruthi block attract a lot of scholars and students interested in archaeology, as they belong to the very ancient times – from the Neolithic age to the 17th century. Stone idols dating back to the 12th century, terracotta figurines, and local artworks excavated fromthe Malabar region have been put on display here. There is also a multi-media theatre near the Museum which offers a show for tourists.
