Manjummel Boys the Untold Story of Tragedy and Triumph at Guna Caves

A group of friends from Manjummel, embarked on a trip to Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. Among them was Subhash, a fabrication worker. While exploring the infamous Guna Caves (also known as Devil’s Kitchen), Subhash slipped and tragically fell deep inside.

The Manjummel Boys: A Fateful Journey

The year is 2006 and the place is Manjummel, a tiny hamlet in Kochi. Siju David aka Kuttan, Subhash, Sixen, Krishna, Anil, Sudheesh, another Siju and a few others are part of a team named Manjummel Boys. This team is a unit of great solidarity and is a kind of pretend gang, but isn’t transgressive enough to qualify as a full blown gang.

We are told that each suburb, potentially, has a team of its own and that the teams often lock horns over one frivolous issue or another, usually when alcohol is involved. The members of the Manjummel team are well rounded individuals with a handy job, family, etc. to their name but they each come to their own in the company of the rest.

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Guna Caves are located at a distance of 8.5 km from Kodaikanal. One has to walk 400 meters to reach the main entrance. The Devil’s Kitchen are at an altitude of 2230 meters above sea level. The atmosphere inside and outside the cave is frosty and cold. At the entrance of the cave are two rocks standing in the shape of columns. This place is full of trees, grass and long roots. Inside the cave are many dark chambers. The interior is also home to bats. As you go deeper into the cave, the oxygen level decreases.

The Discovery of Devil’s Kitchen

Discover the intriguing history of the cave hole, initially documented in 1821 by British officer B. S. Ward, who aptly named it The Devil’s Kitchen. Despite its early recognition, the site remained relatively unknown until the late 1980s. There are stories that the Pandavas used to stay in this cave and cook and eat their food during their exile period.

Fast forward to 1991, when the caves and their picturesque surroundings served as the primary setting for the iconic Kamal Haasan film, Gunaa. This cinematic spotlight led to the caves being rebranded as the Guna Caves, subsequently drawing a surge in tourist interest to the area.

Along with the song becoming a hit, Devil’s Kitchen Cave also became a big hit. Since then, the flow of tourists started. Ignoring the danger warnings of the authorities, many people started descending into the cave. Few people have died from falling inside the cave.

The Tragic Turn of Events in The Case

As the group reaches Guna Caves, they decide to explore the restricted areas. Upon reaching a point in the restricted areas, they decide to leave a stamp of their friendship behind. When they write “Manjummel Boys” on the rocks in the caves, Subhash decides to add “2006” to their carving. As he tries to reach the carving, he falls inside the cave. When his friends realize he has fallen down, they cry out his name. At first, they think Subhash is parking them, but they soon understand the reality of the situation. They see no sight of Subhash and a few of them run to seek help.

Some of the friends go to the local shop at the entrance of the Guna Caves and seek help. As the shop owner hears about Subhash, he tells them that nobody returned alive from such a situation. At his daughter’s request, the shopkeeper accompanies them to the caves.

On the other hand, a few friends go to the nearby town to inform the police. When the rest of the Manjummel Boys are told that Subhash must be dead, they refuse to believe it. Even the police accuse them of plotting Subhash’s death as an accident and take them into their custody. When the police suggest the boys leave Subhash and return home, After much pleading, one police officer accompanied the group. Upon reaching the spot, the police officer understood the gravity of the situation and requested additional personnel. By this time, Subash had started responding to the calls of his friends.

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Courage Amidst Adversity: The Heroic Rescue – The Kuttan

The police and fire force personnel were reluctant to descend into the cave to save Subash due to the haunting memories of previous horror stories. They preferred not to become yet another victim by attempting the rescue operation. Subash’s friend, Siju aka ‘Kuttan’ volunteered to enter the cave for the rescue operation, but the officials were initially hesitant to agree. Due to the persuasion of locals, however, the officials relented, and Siju was lowered into the cave using a pulley and rope. After a harrowing journey inside the cave, Siju brought out Subash, who was injured, barely conscious, and writhing in pain.

The friends displayed a very high risk appetite. Firstly, they trespassed into restricted areas to explore the caves. Secondly, they chose to stay beside the cave to search for signs of life in their trapped friend. Thirdly, they believed that the risk of not attempting to save their friend through inaction was greater than attempting the death defying rescue operation.

Aftermath and Reflection: Lessons Learned

According to official statistics, thirteen tourists have vanished into the cave, while folklore suggests fifty accidental and suicide deaths. The Tamil Nadu government closed the cave for 10 years as tourists violated the instructions and got into accidents. Entry was allowed later but only to see the cave from a distance.

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