A 55-year-old woman pilgrim tragically collapsed and died while waiting in the queue for darshan at the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala on Sunday. The incident occurred amid massive crowds that have been thronging the hill shrine during the ongoing pilgrimage season.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The deceased was identified as Bindu, a 55-year-old woman from Cherthala in Alappuzha district. According to temple authorities and eyewitness accounts, she suddenly collapsed while standing in the long queue leading to the sanctum sanctorum. The incident took place around 1:30 PM on Sunday, December 24, 2023.
Fellow pilgrims immediately alerted security personnel and medical teams stationed nearby. Despite prompt medical attention and efforts to revive her, Bindu was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary reports suggest she may have suffered a cardiac arrest, though the exact cause of death will be determined through medical examination.
Massive Pilgrim Rush Creates Challenging Conditions
The tragedy occurred during one of the busiest periods at Sabarimala, with temple officials reporting an unprecedented influx of devotees. Waiting times for darshan had stretched to approximately 10-12 hours due to the enormous crowd density.
Several pilgrims reported extreme physical strain from the extended standing and slow-moving queues. The temple administration had implemented a virtual queue system to manage the crowds, but the sheer volume of devotees overwhelmed the arrangements.
Medical teams and disaster management personnel have been deployed throughout the pilgrimage route, but the challenging terrain and dense crowds make emergency response difficult in some areas.
Temple Administration's Response and Safety Measures
Following the tragic incident, temple authorities have announced enhanced safety measures. Additional medical teams and ambulances have been positioned at strategic points along the pilgrimage path, particularly in areas where queues tend to form.
Devaswom Board officials have urged elderly pilgrims and those with health conditions to exercise caution and consider visiting during less crowded periods. The administration is also reviewing crowd management strategies to prevent similar tragedies.
Police and disaster management forces have increased surveillance along the routes to monitor pilgrim safety and respond quickly to emergencies. Authorities are also considering implementing better queue management systems to reduce physical strain on devotees.
The tragic death has highlighted the ongoing challenges of managing large pilgrim crowds at one of India's most popular religious destinations, raising important questions about infrastructure and emergency medical services during peak seasons.
