Telugus from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana do Ayyappa deeksha in huge numbers and visit Sabarimala Temple in Kerala in December and January months. Due to huge crowd on Sunday night, a stampede occurred at the Temple and at least 25 Ayyappa devotees, including 17 from Andhra Pradesh were injured. Two devotees from Gorantla village of Anantapur district are said to be critical.
There was an additional rush at the temple as the idol was decorated with `Thanga Angi' jewels during evening puja. The temple shuts from Monday and will reopen for darshan on December 30 for the `Makara Vellukku' festival. The stampede occurred near Malikappuram Devi temple, 200m from Ayyappa temple.
In 2011, a huge stampede was occurred on Makara Jyothi Day at Pullumedu near Sabarimala in Kerala, India. It broke out during an annual pilgrimage, killing 106 pilgrims and injuring about 100 more.
.webp)
.webp)
.jpg)
.webp)
.webp)