Guna Caves (also called Devil’s Kitchen) is a fenced viewpoint about 8 km from Kodaikanal Lake, at an elevation of about 2,230 m. Entry into the caves is not allowed for safety reasons, but you can see them from a viewing area near Pillar Rocks. The ₹30 Forest Department ticket covers all the forest spots on this route. The opening time is 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Also called | Devil’s Kitchen |
| Location | Near Pillar Rocks, off the Moir Point road, Kodaikanal |
| Distance from Kodaikanal Lake | 7.8 km away from Kodaikanal Lake |
| Elevation | About 2,230 m |
| Cave entry | Not allowed. Viewing only, from behind a fence |
| Entry ticket | ₹30 per person, Forest Department (covers all forest spots) |
| Timings | 9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
| Best time | Late morning to afternoon, once the fog clears |
| Last checked | September 2026 |
Are you planning a trip to Kodaikanal? If you’re looking for places where you can go walking, see the beautiful valley and caves, and spend some memorable time with your friends and family, then Guna Caves is the right place for you. You should definitely visit it when you go to Kodaikanal because it’s so cool! Keep reading to learn more about Guna Caves in Kodaikanal and make sure to plan your trip so you can see it all!
📌 Topics Covered
- About Guna Caves
- Safety Information
- Why Guna Caves is Famous?
- History of Guna Caves
- Entry Fees (2026)
- How to Reach Guna Caves
- Best Time to Visit
- Things to Do at Guna Caves
- Nearby Tourist Places
- Best For
- Travel Tips
- FAQ
- Conclusion
👉 Before you explore, check out our complete guide on ➡️ Best Places to Visit in Kodaikanal
Guna Caves Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal, the beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu, is home to many amazing lakes and parks that offer beautiful views of lush greenery, serene surroundings, and entertainment activities. One such popular tourist place is Guna Caves, which is a must-visit for anyone who loves nature.
🌿 About Guna Caves
Guna Caves, also known as The Devil’s Kitchen, is a must-visit tourist destination in Kodaikanal.
📍 Located near the famous ➡️ Pine Forest in Kodaikanal
There are several caves in this place. It is situated at an elevation of 2230 meters and offers stunning views of the surrounding forest and the green valley.
The place is known for:
- Deep, narrow caves
- Dense forest surroundings
- Stunning valley views
- Unique tree roots and rock formations
Although tourists are not allowed to enter the caves due to safety reasons, you can still enjoy the beauty from a safe distance.
Guna Caves Photos
⚠️ Safety Information (Important)
Earlier, visitors were allowed to trek inside the caves. However, due to several accidents, entry has now been restricted.
- Many people have fallen into the deep caves
- Some bodies were never recovered
- Oxygen levels inside the caves are extremely low
To ensure safety, the Tamil Nadu Government has installed steel fencing about 100 feet before the caves.
👉 Visitors can view the caves only from a safe distance.
🎬 Why Guna Caves is Famous?
Guna Caves became widely popular after:
- The Tamil movie “Guna” starring Kamal Haasan was filmed here in 1991.
- Recently, the Malayalam movie “Manjummel Boys” (based on a real incident from 2006) increased its popularity. A 2006 incident where a man named Subhash fell in and was rescued is the basis for the 2024 film Manjummel Boys.
Today, it is one of the most visited places in Kodaikanal.
🏛️ History of Guna Caves
Why guna cave called as devil’s kitchen?
During the 18th century, when British officer B. S. Ward explored Kodaikanal, he discovered several places. Guna Caves is one of the tourist spots they found. When the visited this place, they found numerous caves. Smoke came from these caves, and he thought there might be ghosts cooking, so they called it Devil’s Kitchen.
Some locals in the area believe that in ancient times, the Pandavas lived in these caves, while others believe that the Palaiyar tribe lived there.
When the actor Kamal Haasan shot the movie “Guna” (1991) in this location, the place became more popular among tourists. As a result, the number of tourists visiting increased, leading to the caves being called Guna Caves. This is how these caves got the name Guna Caves.
🎟️ Guna Caves Entry Fees (2026)
The Forest Department charges an entry fee of ₹30 per person, and this one ticket covers all the forest tourist spots: Moir Point, Pine Forest, Guna Caves, Pillar Rocks and Green Valley View.
📌 Note: The Forest Department has changed the entry fee system. An online system has been introduced, and they accept GPay and other payment methods. Tourists face some difficulties with this payment system because network availability is limited in that area. So, they may change this in the future.
Planning your budget trip? ➡️ Kodaikanal Trip Cost Guide
📍 How to Reach Guna Caves
Guna Caves is located on the Pillar Rocks Road next to the Pillar rocks. Click to know how to reach Guna caves from Kodaikanal
👉 Need transport help? ➡️ kodaikanal cab services guide
🚂 Coming by train? Check the kodai road railway station to guna caves distance and travel time before you plan your route.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Guna Caves is:
✔️ April to June (Summer)
✔️ November to March (Winter)
❌ Avoid: July to October (Rainy Season)
- Slippery paths
- Poor visibility
- Higher risk
Before planning your trip, read: ➡️ Best Time to Visit Kodaikanal
📸 Things to Do at Guna Caves
Even though entry is restricted, you can still enjoy:
- Scenic photography
- Walking through pine forests
- Exploring wooden pathways
- Enjoying valley views
- Watching unique tree root formations
⚠️ Be careful of monkeys in the area.
Looking for more activities? ➡️ Top Things to Do in Kodaikanal
🗺️ Nearby Tourist Places
There are lots of other places to see near Guna Caves that you can explore while you are in Kodaikanal.
🌄 Moir Point (1.9 km)
This Viewpoint is located 1.9 km away from the Guna Caves. You can see beautiful view of lush greenly hills, Vaigai Dam View, Photo Point, etc. You can visit Moir Point after visit to Guna caves.
➡️ Complete Guide to Moir Point
🌲 Pine Forest
Pine Forest is located 500 m away from the Guna Caves. You can see beautiful view of pine trees and best place for Photo shoot, Horse riding, etc. You can visit Pine Forest after visit to Guna caves.
🪨 Pillar Rocks
Pillar Rocks Viewpoint is located 800 m away from the Guna Caves. You can see beautiful view of pillar rocks, lush greenery hills and best place for Photo shoot. You can visit Pillar Rocks before visit to Guna caves.
➡️ Pillar Rocks Viewpoint Guide
💧 Pambar Falls / Liril Falls
This waterfall is located 3.9 km away from the Guna Caves. It surrounded by lots of green plants and trees, and it feels very calm and peaceful.
👨👩👧 Best For
Guna Caves is perfect for:
- Couples & families 👨👩👧
- Nature lovers 🌿
- Photography enthusiasts 📸
- Adventure seekers 🧭
📝 Travel Tips
- Visit early morning to avoid crowds
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Keep distance from safety fences
- Avoid carrying food (monkeys may grab it)
- Carry cash due to network issues
❓ FAQ – Guna Caves
No. Entry into the cave system is restricted for safety, and the caves are deep vertical fissures. Visitors can see them from a fenced viewing area.
Guna Caves can be reached by taking a short trek from the Pillar Rocks viewpoint in Kodaikanal. It is approximately a 1.5-kilometer hike through a scenic trail.
No, Few years ago tourists allowed to trek in the devil’s kitchen. But some people lose their life during trekking. So the Tamil Nadu Government banned trekking in Guna caves.
The Forest Department charges an entry fee of ₹30 per person, and this one ticket covers all the forest tourist spots: Moir Point, Pine Forest, Guna Caves, Pillar Rocks and Green Valley View.
The smoke-like mist coming from the crevices led early visitors to call it Devil’s Kitchen. It became known as Guna Caves after the Tamil film Gunaa (1991) was shot here.
Guna caves are closed because nearly 12 people have fallen into these caves. Even their bodies have not been recovered from these caves. One of the minister’s relatives also fell into these caves. There is no oxygen inside these caves, so rescue is not possible. After a few years, there are a lot of requests to the Government to open the Guna caves. So, the Tamil Nadu Government has installed a steel rope fence to prevent further loss of life. A steel rope fence has been set up 100 feet before the entrance to the caves. Now, Guna caves are open but not allowed inside the caves.
About 7.8 km by road. It takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car or cab along Golf Links Road and Pillar Rocks Road.
✅ Conclusion
Guna Caves is one of the best places to visit in Kodaikanal. You can enjoy stunning views of beautiful valleys, explore caves, and witness century-old trees – perfect for a photoshoot. Visit Guna Caves during both the peak and off-peak seasons, excluding the rainy season. The entry fee is reasonable for this location. Overall, it is an ideal destination for those interested in short treks, photography, and adventurous trips. Don’t miss out on this place when you visit Kodaikanal.
👉 Explore more places here: ➡️ Kodaikanal Tourist Places List
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below. I’ll do my best to provide you with a helpful answer.
Have a great journey,
Thank you
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