Devotee Dies Trapped in Arunachalam’s Moksha Margam

A tragic incident unfolded in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai when a devotee from Andhra Pradesh died shortly after getting stuck in thd narrow passage of Moksha Dwaram at the Idukku Pillaiyar Temple.

The deceased, identified as 36 year old Manikumar, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, had traveled to the holy town with his family on July 24 for a pilgrimage. After offering prayers at the main temple of Arunachalam, he embarked on the 14-kilometer Girivalam route, which includes a visit to the Idukku Pillaiyar shrine.

As part of a long-standing belief and tradition, devotees crawl through the temple’s narrow cave, which has three small openings, hoping to receive divine blessings and relief from hardships.

While passing through the Moksha Dwaram, Mani Kumar got trapped because of the extremely narrow passage. He was somehow pulled out after a brief period of inconvenience. Unfortunately, he collapsed after a while and passed away.

Eyewitnesses said that shortly after emerging from the tight space, Manikumar complained of severe breathing difficulties and collapsed on the spot.

A 108 ambulance transported Manikumar to the Tiruvannamalai Government Medical College Hospital. However, attending medical staff declared him dead on arrival.

The Tiruvannamalai Rural Police have launched an official investigation into the incident. The body was sent for an autopsy to determine the precise medical cause of death, while a formal case has been registered.

The incident serves as a reminder that devotees with obesity, mobility issues, or medical conditions should assess their physical ability before attempting to pass through the narrow Moksha Margam and take necessary precautions.

At the same time, temple authorities could consider deploying trained personnel near the passage to guide devotees, identify those who may face difficulty, and help prevent such tragedies in the future.