Sabarimala, Saturday, January 15, 2011: The death toll of the pilgrims from a stampede in Pulmedu has risen to 102 and is the worst tragedy that struck Sabarimala pilgrims in a decade. Over 70 bodies have been brought to the government hospital at nearby Kumali town as police and fire force worked overnight with local rescuers at the hilly terrain where the mishap happened last evening.
According to top police sources, 102 people were confirmed dead and seven of the injured were stated to be in serious condition.
Most of the victims were from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
The tragedy struck the pilgrims returning after darshan at the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa on the ‘makara samkarma pooja’, when a jeep went out of control and ploughed into devotees in a narrow forest stretch at Pullumedu, triggering the stampede.
For those Ayyappa devotees from Tamil Nadu traveling to Sabarimala, Pullumedu is the shortest way. Normally, Tamil pilgrims at Kumaly reach Pullumedu in jeeps. Vehicle facilities are there only till Pullumedu. At Pullumedu there is a steep path downward which leads to Sabarimala via Pandithavalam. There will be no lighting facilities in the night here. Sabarimala is only 5 km away from Pullumedu.
Usually, pilgrims take this way to avoid long queues which extends from Sabareepeedam to Sannidhanam. When traveling through Pullumedu, pilgrims can reach Sabarimala without passing through Pampa.
- By KOL News , Written on January 15, 2011
This is the not first time happening here, Government of Kerala and Police department should have taken necessary action on controlling the crowd. it is very hard to believe that for one lak pilgrim they had only 4 policemen this itself show temple board, police department and government is not taking much importance for pilgrim.
In tirupathi same number of pilgrim are visiting they are regularize the path and allow them in a chamber and leave them separately, why in sabrmali doing this kind of system even you can see in the que they allow 7 to 8 people in a row which makes more rush in the end.
Even pilgrim are making some basic problem…they are come to peace for temple when you go to sabrimali and tirupathu the pilgrims are not in control making rush and try to push others in sabrimali only male so not that much when you see in tirupathi women’s and children are very difficult. As we are pilgrim we should have some self discipline otherwise there is no use for going temple…It is also same on us…..
Even one more now happens in all major temple when you give more money you are allowed in first..in different que..This has to be removed and make the same darsan all kind of people. As we are pilgrims we should have some respect and self discipline…that is must..We should not blame…government and others…finally we are looser..
Those pilgrims who are going to temple..please bear that others also came to darsan god only…….