VELLORE: Four pilgrims from Chennai were killed by lightning late on Sunday atop Parvathamalai near Polur, some 25 km from Tiruvannamalai.
The deceased were part of a 15-member group that went to the hills to offer prayers at the 14th century Lord Mallikarjuneswar temple. The deceased were identified as Anandaraj (50), Raja (46) [from Korukupet], Gajapathy (60) and Balan (27) [from Madipakkam], said sources.
The temple draws devotees, especially on full moon days, and trekkers who go there to enjoy the quiet and scenic beauty of the hills that form part of the famous Javadhi ranges of the Eastern Ghats.
The hills are treacherous with no regular pathway and in some places, iron rods have been driven into rocks to help climbers make the arduous trip. The four pilgrims had stayed in the shed after visiting the temple.
There was heavy rain at that time accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Tiruvannamalai Collector Dr Rajendran said that the bodies of the pilgrims were brought down by a team of fire and rescue service personnel and were sent to the Polur Government Hopsital for post-mortem.
Rajendran said he suspected that the hilltop had received two rounds of thunderbolts. The first one was reported to have damaged a water tank nearby and drenched the four pilgrims sleeping close by. The second could have hit the wet bodies, he said.
The other pilgrims who were sleeping in the mantap in front of the temple, however, managed to escape.
Unconfirmed reports said that two persons were killed in similar circumstances in 2003 and another one a year later at the same spot.