Two pilgrims died on May 26 while attempting to climb the Velliangiri hill range in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district. The hill range is known for its famed Thenkailayam temple and attracts lakhs of devotees.
The deceased have been identified as M Kowsalya (45) of Karaikal in Puducherry, and P Selvakumar (32) from Melpennathur village of Tiruvannamalai district in Tamil Nadu. Kowsalya had begun the trek from Poondi early May 26 morning along with two other women. While her friends stopped at the fourth hill due to fatigue, Kowsalya continued climbing alone. She fainted while ascending the seventh hill and died on the spot.
The Velliangiri Hills in Tamil Nadu is a popular pilgrimage for devotees of the Hindu deity Shiva. These hills are often referred to as the ‘Southern Kailash’ as Mount Kailash in the Himalayan range is believed to be the abode of Shiva. The route to the shrine includes a five-kilometre uphill trek across seven hills. The trek is permitted only for persons above the age of 10 years and below 60 years.
In a separate incident, another devotee, Selvakumar, who had done the trek alone, collapsed on the fifth hill after complaining of breathing difficulty. Both bodies were retrieved by Forest Department personnel and sent for post-mortem to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH).
Following the two deaths and in view of heavy rainfall in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore regions, the Forest Department has temporarily suspended access to Velliangiri Hills. As the hills are a protected area, the Forest Department allows pilgrims to climb to the temple only between February and May each year.
Reports say that the trekking path is mostly rocky with no proper steps or safety railings and many uneven surfaces to navigate. Additionally, the steep incline of the final stretch and the increase in the number of pilgrims each year, has led to a rise in incidents of breathlessness, sudden heart ailments and deaths. The trek to the shrine is also considered one the most difficult in the state.
Forest officials have now forbidden pilgrims with high or low blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, shortness of breath or epilepsy from climbing the hills. A medical camp has also been set up at the foot of the hills where devotees can be given clearance by doctors to trek to the temple.
It may be noted that with these two deaths, the total number of pilgrims who have died while climbing Velliangiri Hills this year has risen to seven.