Punarjani Guha

Useful Information

Location:	Thiruvilwamala, near Thrissur. 2 km from the Thiruvilwamala Temple.
Open:	On Guruvayur Ekadasi day. [2007]
Fee:	Men: all sins. Women: not allowed. [2007]
Classification:
Light:
Dimension:	L=150 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Shiridi SaiRam Sanasthan, Thiruvilwamala, Trissur Dt., Kerala, South India, Tel: +91-4884282094. E-mail:
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History

Description

Punarjani Guha (Punarjani Cave) is a mystical or holy place, open only once a year on Guruvayur Ekadashi, the Shukla Paksha Ekadashi day of the Vrichikam (November/December). The 150 m long narrow cave is believed to have been built by Viswakarma, the legendary creator of Kerala. According to legend, Punarjani Guha was carved out by him on the orders of Devendran following the pray of Parasuram.

The Punarjani Noozhal, the crawling through the Punarjani cave, is an important local ritual. The crawl is said to be difficult, but to remove all sins from the devotee. Only men are allowed to do the noozhal, women can visit the cave but will not get rid of their sins. The devotees first cleanse their body by bathing in the Papanasini Thirtham. Then they enter the cave without a light, in the dark they need about 45 minutes to reach the other end. Then they cleanse their body by bathing again in Papanasini Thirtham and thereafter dip in Pathalathirtha located at the starting point of the Punarjani.