Guna Caves Mystery: Do you know why Guna Cave is so popular right now? It’s because of the Malayalam movie Manjummel Boys, which is getting a lot of attention. Do you remember the Tamil movie Guna? It was released about 30 years ago and didn’t do well at the box office. But now, it’s considered an artistic masterpiece and is being introduced to a new generation.
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British Ruled Kodaikanal Hills
Kodaikanal, located near Dindigul and Madurai, is often thought to be a city built by the British. However, that’s not entirely true. In 1821, British Colonel BS Ward visited the Kodaikanal Hills and found around 200 families already living there. Even back then, the area was inhabited by Tamil people. Ward documented the location and climate of Kodaikanal. Later, many British people came and built British-style buildings there, as they used Kodaikanal as a retreat from the heat during the British rule.
The eucalyptus trees in Kodaikanal aren’t native to the area. They were brought from countries like Australia and New Zealand and planted there. It was BS Ward who discovered Guna Caves in Kodaikanal after a long search. After he found them, people didn’t talk much about them for many years.
Mathikettan Solai
The Pandavas were told to hide for a year, and they stayed there during that time. This rock where they stayed isn’t as old as the other rocks on the hill, but even though we call it “new,” it’s still millions of years old. The Pandavas supposedly cooked and ate on this rock, which is why it’s called Kitchen. Some say it got the name Devil’s Kitchen because of the screams of bats living there. But in English, a very bad terrain is often called Devil’s Kitchen, and this rock is named that in many places worldwide.
There are three pillar rocks in Kodaikanal. You can see two of them from outside, but the third one is inside. The entrance to Guna Caves is by the third pillar rock, in a place called ‘Mathikettan Solai’. It got its name because people say your brain stops working once you enter this forest. The unique thing about this forest is that you can’t touch the ground beneath the leaves that cover it completely. It’s a very spooky forest, full of tree roots that look like snakes. Devil’s Kitchen is inside Mathikettan Solai. Devil’s Kitchen has been studied for many years by the British. Some theories suggest that kings and tribes hid there in the past.
Manjummel Boys
The plot of Manjummel Boys revolves around a friend who gets lost inside Guna Caves. A group of friends, including many Malayalis who often visit Kodaikanal, come to explore the caves. One of them accidentally falls into the caves while happily exploring. In the area surrounding Guna Caves, there’s a tree called Shola whose leaves cover the ground, making it hard to see beneath. The ground is already a pit, and when covered with leaves and rocks, it’s easy to accidentally step into it. No one knows how deep the pit is, but it’s believed to be over 100 meters deep. It’s considered impossible for someone to fall into this pit and survive.
The movie “Manjummel Boys” tells the story of one person who managed to escape from Guna Caves, despite the belief that once you enter, you can’t come out. The cave is pitch dark, with no light whatsoever. Interestingly, the movie “Guna” wasn’t filmed at the bottom of the cave due to technical issues with the camera equipment. Some believe supernatural reasons were at play, but there are likely scientific explanations, possibly related to the thermal properties and high temperatures of the rocks, which earn such caves the name Devil’s Kitchen.
According to British records, humans have been living in this area for 200 years. However, it’s highly likely that humans lived there long before that, possibly even as far back as 5000 BC, over 7000 years ago, before the pyramids were built in Egypt. The Tamil Nadu Government website provides information suggesting that humans inhabited Kodaikanal 7000 years ago.
Researchers Statement
Even with all the modern facilities available today, it’s not easy to visit Guna Caves. Humans lived in this area around 7000 years ago, building houses with rocks. Researchers believe these structures may have been burial sites, while locals think they were homes for dwarves, though dwarves are purely fictional beings.
Bogar, a renowned figure, crafted the statue of Murugan in the Poombarai temple, connecting Kurinji land to Murugan, the chief god there. Sadly, 16 people have lost their lives falling into Guna Caves, with only one person ever being rescued. Kodaikanal is known as Kurinji land, and Murugan holds a significant place in the region. Guna Caves are surrounded by many supernatural stories, adding to their mystique and allure.
Planning Your Journey
Planning a trip to Guna Caves requires careful consideration and preparation. The ideal time to visit is during the warmer months of April to June and August to September, when the weather is suitable for exploring. The caves are open for admission from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors should be aware that there is a small fee for photography.
Before embarking on the journey, it’s important to check the weather forecast and ensure that you have appropriate clothing and footwear for exploring the caves. Additionally, it’s advisable to bring along essentials such as water, snacks, and a flashlight, as the caves may be dark in some areas.
It’s also recommended to plan your visit during weekdays to avoid crowds, as weekends and holidays tend to be busier. Arriving early in the day can also help beat the crowds and ensure a more enjoyable experience. Finally, be sure to follow any guidelines or instructions provided by the authorities for a safe and enjoyable visit to Guna Caves.
1. How many people died in Guna Cave?
There are different reports about the number of people who died in Guna Cave. Official records say it’s 13, but some say it could be 16 or more. In recent years, the Forest Department has allowed tourists to see Guna Caves from a safe area.
2. Why is Guna Caves called Devils Kitchen?
Guna Caves got its name, Devil’s Kitchen, from stories that say the Pandavas stayed there during their exile and cooked their food. In 1991, the cave’s name was changed to Guna Cave after the movie “Guna” starring Kamal Haasan. The famous song ‘Kanmani…. Anpod Kathalan’ from the movie was filmed in this cave.
3. Who are the real Manjummel boys?
Manjummel Boys is based on the true story of 11 boys: Siju David, Subash Chandran, Krishnakumar, Sijulal, Sixson, Anil Joseph, Jinson, Sujith, Prasad, Abhilash, Sumesh, and Sudheesh. They went on a fun trip that ended up changing their lives.
Also Read: 9 Forbidden Places That You Are Not Allowed to Visit
