Thiruvilwamala: Thousands of devotees participated in the traditional crawling ritual through the Punarjani cave at the Vilwadrinatha Temple on Monday.

The ritual commenced in the morning, coinciding with auspicious Veluthapaksha Ekadasi day of the Malayalam month Vrischikam, following a ceremonial puja conducted by the temple’s head priests at the cave entrances. Devotees from various districts across the state attended the event, which drew large crowds, including women and children, who climbed the hill to take part in the sacred observance.

Organised under the aegis of the Cochin Devaswom Board, the event saw active support from several government departments, including the police, fire and rescue services, health officials, forest department personnel, and the local panchayat, ensuring the smooth conduct of the ritual. Crawling through the Punarjani cave, known locally as the Noozhal ritual, is believed to absolve one’s sins.

Sevabharati volunteers provided light refreshments and drinking water to devotees at the site.