from here. This cave is situated 2 km away from the main temple towards the south-east. This is believed to have been built by Vishwakarma, the divine architect, on request of Brihaspati. Humans can enter this cave only on one day in a year - The 11th day (Ekadasi) in the bright fortnight in the month of Vrischikam (November–December), that is Guruvayoor Ekadasi. All other days are meant for ghosts. It is believed that the bottom of the temple is also a cave, and a golden vilwa tree exists there, and thus the place came to be known as 'Thiruvilwamala'. There are even some incidents which proved this. One among them is like this: There was a large hole in front of the idol of Lord Rama. The water taken from it was given as 'theertham' to the devotees. One day, a plantain which was to be offered to the Lord fell into this hole. The priest thought that the water has become impure, and thus he tried to take plantain with a writing nail, but at that time, he heard the sound of breaking rocks, and the water was also dried up. History In the early days, the temple was under the control of five Moosad families (only there are three Moosad families still existing in modern days are Kandanath illam, Changanath illam, Vavath illam and rest of two moosad families are not existing Kizhakkillath illam and Kandangath illam) called 'Parasudayavar'. They came to be called so because it is believed that Lord Parasurama gave their right to control the temple with his axe (called parasu in Sanskrit). The eldest of the six administered and others assisted him. Whoever received this status gave up his relationship with his family and continued to reside in the temple itself. The Parasu-utayavar and 'Samudaya' appointed by the "Ooraymas"1 and "Karanmas"2 took up the administration of the temple. The Mahayogam (great conference) including the Ooraymas and the Karanmas and other representatives of the temple used to be held twice a year, one on the 'Dwadasi' before the new moon day in the month of Medam (March–April) and the other on the tenth of Karkitakam (June–July). The Parasu-utayavar was all powerful and was empowered to inflict any punishment including death sentence in the temple area. In Kali era 3493 the king Cheraman Perumal gave over the temple land to the Perumpadappuswarupam. It is seen