COIMBATORE: A 47-year-old devotee from Kempatti Colony in Coimbatore city died while climbing the hills leading to the Velliangiri temple on Sunday night.
This is the third death reported while climbing the hills through the forest path this season, whereas nine devotees died due to various reasons in 2025 between February and May.
The deceased has been identified as J Haridass. He was found unconscious near the Monkey Bridge on the first hill at 11 pm on Sunday.
Police sources say one of the doctors who was also trekking along with other devotees noticed Haridass lying on the path. As there was no pulse, the doctor advised Haridass' friends to contact the police and the forest department staff in the foothills.
The Alandurai police and the personnel of the Boluvampatti forest range deputed dolly bearers to bring down the body to the foothill.
"As per our investigation, the man collapsed after experiencing fits and breathing difficulties. We handed over the body to his relatives after carrying out postmortem on Monday," said a police official attached to the Alandurai police station.
A 60-year-old man, Desinguraja, was the first to die during the hill trek this season. The native of Trichy district died on February 20. The second death was of P Senthil Kumar, 60, of Baruvai village in Tirupur district. He died on March 6.
Meanwhile, the forest department is planning to make medical fitness certificate received from the local government hospital mandatory for each and every devotee proceeding to the hill temple.
The certificate should be submitted to the personnel at the foothill before climbing the seven hills. However, this proposal is in the discussion stage and will be implemented after getting approval from Coimbatore District Forest Officer and District Collector.
"Some deaths are occurring though blood pressure and blood sugar levels of trekkers are found normal during checks. We have been advising devotees, especially those aged, to climb the hill only if they are fit.
However, if we pose questions in this regard to them, some get provoked and get angry. Some question our caste and conduct as if we are preventing them from worshipping," said a forest department staff.