Kerala: 13 Pilgrims Injured After Vehicle Carrying Sabarimala Passengers Turns Turtle

Around 43 persons including 40 pilgrims were traveling in a vehicle to Pathanamthitta district.

When the vehicle was travelling near Erumeli, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.

Over 13 Sabarimala pilgrims sustained injuries in a bus accident near Erumeli in Kottayam district on Wednesday morning, according to the police. The pilgrims from Kolar in neighbouring Karnataka were proceeding to the hill shrine located in Pathanamthitta district at the time of the mishap.

According to PTI, a senior police official said that 43 people including 40 pilgrims were traveling in a vehicle to Pathanamthitta district. When the vehicle was travelling near Erumeli, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.

Over 13 people suffered injuries in the incident. 

Following this, four pilgrims were rushed to a government medical college near the accident spot. Four other passengers were taken to a general hospital. 

The remaining injured victims were admitted to a private hospital nearby. The traffic movement on the road was affected for a while due to the accident. 

Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple reopened on October 17 at 5 pm for 'Thula Masam' pooja. According to the Malayalam calendar, 'Thula Masam' is a monthly prayer during the 'Tulam' month. In addition, the temple will be shut down on October 22 at the conclusion of the prayers. 

According to the Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Samajam (SAASS), the temple will reopen on November 10 and 11 for Sree Chithra Atta Thirunal pooja and from November 16 to December 27 for Mandala Pooja Maholsavam. KSRTC is also running special bus services from 18-22 October for Thula Masam Puja.

In March, a bus with 68 Sabarimala pilgrims fell into a gorge at Elavunkal near Nilakkal in Pathanamthitta district. The accident occurred when the bus carrying devotees from Tamilnadu was returning after the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

In the mishap, 20 persons sustained injuries and were shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Some of the injured were admitted to Pathanamthitta District General Hospital.