Lord Parasurama, who as per his Sabath (vow) killed Kshathriya Kings of 21 generations that he should get rid of the greatest sin he has done by killing humanbeings. As a prayaschitha (remedy to earlier actions) he decided to rescue some land from the sea and donate to the Brahmins. After retrieving the land he constructed 108 Siva temples, 108 Devi temples, 5 Sastha temples and some Vishnu temples in this holy land for the purpose of worshiping Deities by the people of this region. Then to achieve liberation from this worldly connection he started a penance in that holy land.

During this period, once some of his ancestors came to him and convinced him that due to his killings so many souls could not attain peace and were wandering in the world as restless souls. Hence it is necessary to help these souls Mukthi (liberation). Otherwise they may create restlessness in the entire world. Lord Parasurama meditated upon Lord Mahavishnu to find out some way to solve this problem. Suddenly he heard a Godly voice from the sky asking him to go Vilwadri.

When Parasurama reached Vilwadri he was received by Siva Bootha Ganangals (Lord Siva’s Army of Boothas). He understood that Lord Siva has arrived in that place and went directly to Him and offered his prayers and respects. He requested Lord Siva to help him give peace and liberation to the restless souls. Lord Siva gave Parasurama an idol worshipped by him in Kailasa and asked Parasurama to consecrate(fix the idiol in a temple as per existing rituals )in Thiruvilwamala. The idol we now see in the East Nada of Vilwadrinatha temple is the same divine idiol worshipped by Lord Siva. By the Darshan of this idol these souls may get Salvation.

In the mean time Amalaka Maharishi son of Kashyapa Maharishi started a severe penance in the same place in Thiruvilwamala. As this Maharishi lived by eating only Goosebery fruit (Nellikka). He was known by the sanskrit name of the fruit ie Amala in sanskrit. He continued his penance from Saraswathi Kundu and his powers reached as strong waves even in the heavens. Then Devendra and Devas thought that the Maharishi is doing such a penance to capture Devaloka. Hence to disturb and stop the penance they sent Apsara, dancer of Devaloka and so many other tricks. The Devas miserably failed in their attempts and so they went to Kasyapa Maharshi to enquire about the need of Amalaka Maharishi.Kashypa Maharishi told the Devas that his son is not interested in the pleasures of their world or the pleasures of heaven. His intention and aim is to please Lord Mahavishnu by his Bhakthi(devotion). Devas were satisfied but the Asuras (demons) were frightened by his penance and they started to trouble the Maharishi.

Unfortunately for them the Maharishi stopped his penance and opened his eyes. Due to flames of anger which came out of the Maharishi’s eyes the demons were burnt to ashes and formed a hillock of the debris of the ashes .This hillock is now known as Rakshasa Para (The hillock of demons ). At the bottom of this hillock is situated the famous Parakkottu Kavu.

Amalaka Maharishi then continued his penance and after few years Lord Mahavishnu overwhelmed by the devotion of Amalaka Maharishi then continued his penance and after few years Lord Mahavishnu overwhelmed by the devotion of his Devotee appeared before him with Sreedevi, Bhoodevi and Ananthan. He told the Maharishi that he was happy about the penance and asked him what boon he wanted. He requested Lord Vishnu to stay permanently in the place and bless his devotees. Lord Mahavishnu appeared in the temple along with Sridevi and Boodevi and Ananthan as swayambu in the divine form of idols made out of stones. These idols are now in the west Nada of the temple and the Lord is showing His Divine Blessings to the entire world.

Punarjani Guha at Thiruvilwamala Beliefs as per scriptures

This Punarjani is situated in Boothathan Mala, a beautiful scenic land scape, about 2Kms from Sri Vilwadrinatha temple. It is a cave inside this hillfrom bottom to the top which extends to about 150 meters. The passage of this cave is very narrow and it is difficult to climb through the passage. Though it is one of the major attractions of Thiruvilwamala. People are allowed to enter the cave only once in a year. That happens to be the Guruvayur Ekadasi day every year in the month of Vrischika(November).But on other days devotees are allowed to go near the entrance of this cave and take photos of the place. This cave is believed to have been constructed by Viswakarma the architect of Devas, as per the directives of Lord Parasurama.

It is the belief that even though the restless souls had the Darshan of Sri Mahavishnu they could not attain Moksha/Liberation. Lord parasurama was sad since he could not achieve his ambition to give liberation to the distressed soul. Then he went Lord Brahma to know the reason for his failure. Brahma told Parasurama “Look Bhargava, these souls have already taken so many janmas / births in this world. Their Karma is the reason for their rebirths. Only if the Karmas are left out liberation from rebirth can be attained’’

Parasurama decided to find a holy place where one’s Karmas can be get rid of. He directed Viswa Karma to search for such place to leave all the Karma’s and to purify the souls. Viswakarma along with Indira and Brahaspathy reached Sri Vilwadri. Lord Parasurama told Viswakarma that there should not be any restless souls in the premises of Sri Vilwadrinatha temple. Then Viswakarma went in search of a suitable place, away from the temple. When they reached Boothathan Mala Viswkarma felt the presence of Trimurthi, Brahma Vishnu Siva in one place. They decided to make a passage there and Brahaspathi started doing the poojas.

In the meantime Lord Parasurama created Ganapathy Theertha at the bottom of this hill.So as to avoid any obstables in his divine mission . He further made two other ponds by name Papanasini and Pathala theertham. Indira then made theertham using arrow which is known as Ambu(Arrow)theertham. The elephant vehicle of Indira,known as Airavatham made another pond with its Kombu(tuskers) which is known as Kombu theertham. Lord Parasurama brought Ganga Theertham from the head of Lord Siva and feet of Lord Vishnu and filled these ponds . By the time the construction of the Guha from top to bottom of the Boothathanmala was completed by Viswakarma. All the restless evil souls entered the passage of the cave and attained Moksha(Liberation) by relinquishing their sins in the passage.

Knowing about the divinity of the cave some Brahmins also came to Parasurama and wanted his permission to go through the cave so that they can attain Moksha. But Parasurama told them “Only one day in a year ie the Ekadasi day of Velutha Paksham in the month of Vrischigam is earmarked for Human beings to go through this Guha, All other days are for demons.” More over people willing to take this ordeal should observe stringent unthams (carry out divine activities). Fortunately it was an Ekadasi day and the Brahmins also were allowed to go through the Guha and all of them attained Moksha.

This cave has connections with Mahabharatha also. After the Kurukshetra War the Pandavas arrived here to perform the rituals for their ancestors and departed souls. To get away from the papas(sins) they did during the war . They also walked through this Punarjani and attained peace in their lives.

The Punarjani Noozhal(Entering of the Punarjani cave)festival is on Guruvayur Ekadasi day and is considered as an auspecious occation. People/Devotees willing to enter the cave should undergo strict rituals /penance (vridam) They should reach Vilwadrinatha temple on the earlier day ie Dasami and stay inside the temple. On the Ekadasi day early morning around 4’O clock the priests of the temple after taking bath in the temple pond Bhagavathi Chira open the temple and conduct morning poojas. Then they reach the entrance point of Guha (cave)and conduct some special poojas. The devotees who intend to enter the cave, come out of temple through East gate after the Darshan. They reach Ganapathy theertham and take bath. They then take bath in Papanasini, Pathala Theertham,Ambu Theertham and Kombutheertham and with wet clothes reach the entrance point at the bottom of the hill. These Theerthas are small wells/ponds as found in Rameswaram and devotees may have to take water from the well and pour on their bodies.

The entrance point of the cave is around 6 feet high and hence an ordinary man can enter easily and walk through. After Crossing some more distance devotees have to sit down and move. After this only the real noozhal or entering and moving by lying down on the ground happens. People have to lie down and move on the ground as reptiles. In these places they need support from people infront and back of them. This place is dark and steep and difficult to stretch in the passage. Then finally they cross over some steps also in the same position and reach the top of the cave. They then have to go to Papanasini and take bath.

The passage is very narrow and steep. People have to takeup ordeals of moving on like reptiles which is very difficult for ordinary people/devotees. Only if a person has strong devotion and determination and a mind send to face difficulties, he can accomplish this task. The darkness and low air circulation inside the passage of the cave does not affect the devotees.

It is a miracle that sofar untoward incidents had happened in this difficult task and the passage is found free of animals /reptiles which attacks human beings.

Punarjani Noozhal is a bliss to the devotees and the number of devotees keeps on increasing every year.