Coimbatore, April 19, 2025 — A 19-year-old pilgrim from Thoothukudi district tragically lost his life on Friday night after slipping and falling into a gorge while ascending the seventh hill en route to the Velliangiri temple, a revered pilgrimage destination in the Western Ghats.
The deceased, identified as P. Puvanesh, a resident of Thalamuthu Nagar in Mappillaiurani, had traveled to Coimbatore along with two friends, Muthukumar and Hariharasudhan, to undertake the arduous pilgrimage.
According to officials, the group began their ascent early Friday morning. At approximately 8:30 p.m., while navigating the steep and rugged terrain of the seventh hill, Puvanesh reportedly lost his footing and fell into a seven-metre-deep gorge. He sustained critical head injuries and was rendered unconscious at the scene.
His companions immediately alerted frontline staff from the Forest Department, who then mobilized dolly bearers to assist in the rescue operation. Despite the challenging terrain and nighttime conditions, the rescue team reached the injured youth and transported him to the foothills by midnight. Upon arrival, medical personnel declared him dead.
The body was subsequently transferred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for a postmortem examination.
The incident has cast a somber shadow over the pilgrimage route, which draws thousands of devotees annually. Authorities have urged pilgrims to exercise extreme caution while trekking the higher altitudes of the Velliangiri Hills, especially during night hours.
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