Tamil Nadu: Lord Ayyappa devotee dies on way to Sabarimala

Sabarimala(Ker): A 29-year-old Ayyappa devotee from Tamil Nadu, who was on his way to the Lord Ayyappa temple here for darshan, died due to suspected heart attack on Tuesday morning, police said.

The deceased man was identified as Matheswaran, a native of Anna Nagar of the neigbouring state.

ALSO READ: Maharashtra floor test on Wednesday: Supreme Court

He developed uneasiness while trekking Neelimala, one of the sacred hills to reach the forest shrine, and was declared brought dead at the Sannidhanam hospital here, they said.

Heart attack was suspected to be the reason for the young pilgrim's death and it could be confirmed only after the post mortem, they added.

ALSO READ: People in power trying to circumvent values of Constitution: Priyanka Gandhi

Meanwhile, the Sabarimala shrine, where the annual mandalam-makaravilakku pilgrimage is underway, is witnessing heavy rush for the last one week.

Besides the devotees from Kerala, a large number of pilgrims from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are flocking to the shrine to offer prayers.

(PTI)