Two devotees collapsed and dies while walking up the Sabarimala hill towards the temple. The deceased are Chandran Pillai, 69, from Kollam and Andhra Pradesh native, Sanjeev, 65. Both of them died at two different spots.
While Chandra Pillai died at Appachimedu, Sanjeev died at Neelimala area. Both were brought to the government hospital at Pamba but their lives could not be saved.
The temple opened on Vrishchikam 1 and the Mandala Pooja will be on 27 December. The temple will be opened on 30 December for Makara Villaku festival. Makara Villaku will be on 14th January. The pilgrimage will come to an end on 20th January.