A 36-year-old devotee from Andhra Pradesh passed away due to a cardiac arrest while navigating a narrow passage at a temple near the Arunachaleswar temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Key Takeaways

  • 36-year-old S. Manikumar from Andhra Pradesh died of cardiac arrest.
  • The incident occurred at a Vinayagar temple on the Girivalam path.
  • The victim reportedly got stuck in a narrow passage during worship.
  • Local police have registered a case and investigation is ongoing.

In a tragic incident in Tiruvannamalai, a 36-year-old devotee from the Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh died of cardiac arrest near the sacred Arunachaleswar temple. The deceased has been identified as S. Manikumar.

According to the police, Manikumar was performing rituals at a Vinayagar temple located on the 14-km-long Girivalam path. While attempting to exit the temple through a narrow passage, he reportedly became stuck. Although fellow devotees and temple authorities successfully pulled him out, he collapsed and lost consciousness.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the physical strain of pilgrimage, combined with narrow infrastructure in ancient temple sites, poses a significant health risk to aging or vulnerable devotees. Such incidents highlight the urgent need for better medical emergency preparedness at major religious hubs.

Immediate medical access and improved crowd flow management are critical in high-density pilgrimage sites.

Manikumar was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital, where medical professionals declared him brought dead. The Tiruvannamalai Town police have registered a case and are currently conducting a probe into the circumstances.

Historical Context of Similar Incidents

This is not an isolated case in the region. In May 2024, a 47-year-old man from Bengaluru died of cardiac arrest while climbing steep stairs at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Sholinghur. Furthermore, in April 2024, a 14-year-old boy died while descending from a hillock temple in Ratnagiri town.

Did You Know?: The Girivalam path in Tiruvannamalai is a 14-km circuit around the sacred Arunachala hill, highly revered by devotees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Where exactly did the incident take place?

Answer: The incident occurred at a Vinayagar temple on the Girivalam path near the Arunachaleswar temple in Tiruvannamalai.

Question 2: What was the cause of death?

Answer: The victim, S. Manikumar, died due to a sudden cardiac arrest.