Thiruvananthapuram, Sabarimala stampede: On the last day, just before culmination of the 41-day mandala pooja. The stampede occurred as the holy 'Thanga Angi' procession carrying ornaments was to be worn by Lord Ayyappa on Mandala pooja on Monday.
At least 21 people were injured after a stampede broke out at the Sabrimala temple in Kerala on Sunday. Two of them are said to be in a critical situation.
The pilgrims mostly belonged to Andhra Pradesh, The police have initiated crowd control measures and the situation is under control, said Ayyappa Dharma Sena president Rahul Easwar.
The devotees have been waiting for the darshan of Ayappa idol and were participating in the puja when the stampede took place, as some ques were broken, after which the stampede occurred. Police are restricting movement of pilgrims from downhill Pamba to sannidhanam because of the heavy rush.
Back in in 2011, a major stampede had broken out in Sabraimala on Makara Jyothi Day, when 106 pilgrims died and 100 more were injured. It had occurred due to a Jeep turn over involving hundreds of pilgrims who were returning from a Hindu shrine for the god Ayyappan.
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