Guna Caves have recently gained too much popularity following the great hit of Manjummel Boys Malayalam film. These caves are standing on the most beautiful hills of Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu India. As the caves are located amidst the dense forests and slippery trails of the Western Ghats, they attract tourists, history buffs and adventure seekers alike. These caves are shrouded in eerie fascination, intrigue, and mystery. More than a shooting spot, these caves possess unique importance and history. Read on to learn more about these caves and the mystery surrounding them:
About Guna Caves
The Guna Caves are around 12 km from Kodaikanal main town. This hill station in Tamil Nadu is called Princess of Hill Stations. Guna Caves are standing on the scenic Pillar Rocks Road in Kodaikanal about 7200 feet above sea level. The geographical location of the caves naturally makes them misty, cold and often covered in a veil of fog. Its geographical location adds to the mysterious allure of the caves.
Kodaikanal, the hill station in which Guna Caves are located, is in Western Ghats. This hill station is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ecological importance and biodiversity. Guna Caves also called Devil’s Kitchen are naturally-formed caves. These caves stand between three giant rock pillars that are prominent attractions in Kodaikanal called Pillar Rocks. Studies show that these caves were formed by natural geological shifts and erosion that happened millions of years ago. They are part of the rich geological history of Kodaikanal.
Guna Caves are largely hidden. They are located within thick shola forests. The route to the caves passes through narrow crevices, moss-covered rocks and dense vegetation, thereby making the trek to the caves an adventurous trip.
Guna Caves Mystery
One of the key factors that make Guna Caves attractive is the mystery surrounding these caves. It is not like other tourist spots that have well-lit pathways. Rather, the path towards the caves is dark, deep and dangerous with narrow fissures. The path leads to vertical drops of several hundred feet. Here are some factors that make Guna Caves mysterious:
Presence of Several Unexplored Passages
One of the important reasons for the caves to be considered mysterious is the presence of many unexplored passages. These passages descend deep into the earth. No one knows how deep they go. Above all, often these passages are covered with mist. The misty coverage makes these caves even more ominous.
Even, locals have heard strange sounds coming from the caves. They feel that this happens particularly during windy weather conditions. These sounds fuel the belief in supernatural presence in these caves. The eerie reputation is further strengthened by the stories of locals visiting the deep layers of the caves and not returning.
Multiple Accidents
Yet another factor that makes the caves mysterious is many accidents and deaths happened here. Due to these accidents, certain areas of the caves were eventually sealed off by authorities. Restrictions were laid in the early 2000s. Many young locals and tourists have fallen into the deep ravines and perished. So, authorities restricted public access to some parts of the cave. However, the restrictions further attract people, who seek a glimpse of the puzzling attraction.
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Guna Caves Movie
Before 1992, the presence of these caves was relatively unknown to a larger group of the public. The 1991 Film ‘Guna’ featuring the popular actor Kamal Haasan made this site popular. The film featured a popular song that was captured in these caves. The Tamil Film was a psychological drama genre film. This film featured the caves prominently as part of its storyline. In the film, the caves are depicted as mysterious and isolated abode of the lead role.
The success of this film turned the caves into a tourist attraction. Following the success of this film, the caves were named “Guna Caves”. Previously, these caves were called “Devil’s Kitchen”. The cultural connection improved local tourism and curiosity over these caves. The caves started attracting more explorers and visitors. Nevertheless, it brought attention to the probable dangers lurking inside the caves.
The recent Malayalam Movie “Manjummel Boys” also captured in Guna Caves, was a great hit. This film shows cases of an original incident that happened in these caves several years ago among a group of friends, who visited Guna Caves. After the popularity of this film, the caves again gained the attention of adventure seekers and tourists alike.
Guna Caves History
Even though Guna Caves gained popularity after the Guna movie, the locals and indigenous tribes were aware of the presence of these caves. For them, these caves held mystical and ominous importance at times. They called this cave Devil’s Kitchen as they heard that this place has bottomless pits inside and eerie sounds from inside of the caves. So, they started relating these caves to the supernatural and the presence of spirits.
It was named Devil’s Kitchen several decades ago. The reason is that the structure and shape of the caves are dark and narrow. Due to tight passages and slippery rocks, it is hard to navigate the entrance of the caves as well. All these contributed to myths and stories behind it. Also, earlier, people, who managed to enter into the caves have not returned. So, the locals started believing that the cave had some supernatural elements and spirits.
Following the success of the Guna film, all these fears were removed. People started exploring it as “Guna Caves”.
How to Reach Guna Caves?
Guna Caves is located around 12 km from Kodaikanal. It is located at a distance of about 9 km from Kodaikanal Main Bus Stand. From this bus stand, you can hire a taxi for the entire day to explore Guna Caves and the nearby attractions. In Kodaikanal, most of the attractions, like Pine Forest and Pillar Rocks, are located close to Guna Caves. Also, some attractions are located in the main part of Kodaikanal, like Kodai Lake and Bear Shola Waterfalls. So, once you hire a taxi, you can go to all these places in a single day.
Remember that there are no auto services in Kodaikanal. So, hiring a cab is a good option. Also, for the convenience of tourists looking for affordable exploration, a good number of shared tourist buses are available in Kodaikanal. For day trips, around 3-4 circuit buses are available. The frequency of these buses increases during peak seasons. You can enquire about these buses at the enquiry section in Kodaikanal Bus Stand.
Time Required
You can spend around half to one hour in Guna Caves. Thereafter, you can visit the nearby attractions like Pillar Rocks. When you are in Guna Caves, do not forget to take some stunning pictures. A visit to Guna Caves is an experience that you should not miss out on when you are at Kodaikanal.
Best Time to Visit
Visiting hours at Guna Caves are between 9 am and 4.30 pm every day. So, make sure to plan your visit to the caves accordingly.
The ideal season to visit Guna Caves is during the dry season. It falls between October and March. During this season, the weather will be pleasant. Also, the trekking paths during this season will be relatively dry. So, you can safely trek the path to reach the caves without slipping.
Restaurants and Cafes Near Guna Caves
Guna Caves is in a hilly forest area. So, you cannot find any standard restaurants and cafes near the attraction. However, you can find many roadside vendors selling food and snacks near the caves. If you travel for around 4 or 5 km from Guna Caves, you can find some quality restaurants and cafes like those mentioned below:
- Whistler Café
- Pastry Corner
- Cloud Street
- Tava Vegetarian Restaurant
- Orchard Restaurant
- Astaria Veg Restaurant
- Bryants Lounge
- Muncheez
If you love non-vegetarian foods, you should not miss out on visiting Man Manam, which serves traditional non-vegetarian dishes in mud pots. This restaurant is a great hit among local tourists visiting from different parts of Tamil Nadu.
Attractions Close to Guna Caves
Within 15 km distance from Guna Caves, you can visit the following attractions in Kodaikanal:
- Bear Shola Waterfalls
- Kodaikanal Lake
- Horticulture Research Station
- Pillar Rocks
- Berijam Lake
- Silver Cascade Waterfalls
Present State of Guna Caves
Today, Guna Caves is one of the popular attractions for tourists visiting Kodaikanal. Even though direct access to some areas of the caves is restricted for safety reasons, visitors continue to visit. You can get the experience of walking in a dense forest to a certain extent. The serene atmosphere, misty climate and cool environment together will give a refreshing experience when visiting Guna Caves.
Even though mysteries surround the caves, the area has now become a tourist hub. These caves continue to hold a special place in the hearts of tourists and locals alike. If you are fascinated by the unexplored and unknown, you should visit Guna Caves for a different experience.
Read my other posts on:
Best 5-day Kodaikanal Itinerary
Top places to visit near Kodaikanal
Top Things To Do In Kodaikanal.
Featured image coourtesy: Gunacaves.com
