Three Pilgrims Die Of Heart Attack While Trekking To Sabarimala Shrine

All three pilgrims collapsed while making the challenging journey from Pampa to the temple, located in the Western Ghats.

Three individuals have passed away due to heart attacks while trekking to the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala, as the annual pilgrimage season continues. The deceased have been identified as Velpuri Venkayya (65) from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh; C P Kumar (44) from Bengaluru, Karnataka; and Neelam Chandrasekhar (55) from Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.

All three collapsed while making the challenging journey from Pampa to the temple, located in the Western Ghats, reported Kerala Kaumudi.

Velpuri Venkayya suffered chest pain at Neelimala on Wednesday night at around 8:47 p.m. He was rushed to Pampa hospital, but was declared dead upon arrival, as per a report on Manorama. On Thursday, C P Kumar felt discomfort at Appachimedu around 3:23 a.m. Despite efforts to get him to the Appachimedu Cardiology Center, he was pronounced dead.

Neelam Chandrasekhar collapsed due to uneasiness at the shed near Pampa at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, and was declared dead after being taken to the Pampa Government Hospital.

The Sabarimala pilgrimage, which attracts thousands annually, has seen a significant influx of devotees. Situated at an altitude of 914 meters in the Western Ghats, the Sabarimala temple is accessible only by foot, starting from Pampa, located about 100 km from Kerala's state capital. Pilgrims traditionally observe a strict 41-day penance before embarking on the trek, which includes abstaining from footwear, eating vegetarian food, and wearing a black dhoti.

Policemen Undergo Rigorous Training After Controversial Photo

The Kerala police officers who were involved in a controversial photo incident at Pathinettampadi, a key location on the pilgrimage route, are now facing mandatory retraining. The officers, from the State Armed Police (SAP) Thiruvananthapuram camp, had taken photos after completing their duties at the temple.

They are now undergoing tough training at the 4th Battalion Camp of the Kerala Armed Police (KAP) in Mangattuparamba, Kannur. The training, which spans 10 working days, is a part of the regular training program for all new police recruits.