SABARIMALA: At least 25 people were injured after a minor stampede broke out at the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala Sannidhanam on Sunday evening. While at least two persons suffered grievous wounds and were admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kottayam, the rest of the injured were admitted to various hospitals nearby, reports claimed.
Sources said the accident occurred just as the holy ‘Thanga Angi’ procession carrying ornaments worn by Lord Ayyappa on Mandala pooja (on Monday) had reached the temple, where there was reportedly a crowd of rushing pilgrims, resulting in the stampede. The injured people had been waiting at the Malikappuram temple.
The Disaster Management Team coordinated rescue operations at the Lord Ayyappa shrine, which witnessed a large crowd as Sunday was the penultimate day before the culmination of the 41-day mandala pooja.