At least 85 people have been killed and more than 90 people killed in a stampede at the Sabarimala shrine in Kerala's Idukki district. The incident took place seven kilometres away from the shrine. 55 bodies have been recovered so far. (First pictures)
A Sabarimala Temple trust spokesperson told NDTV that the stampede occurred after a bus accident.
Reports suggest that the accident and the consequent stampede occurred in a hilly area, beyond the Sabarimala police protection area. The terrain has made rescue and relief operations difficult.
The Director General of the Kerala Police, and other top officials have rushed to the area.
The devotees were returning after Makaravilakku ritual in Sabarimala.
Thousands of devotees had turned up for worship at the hill shrine during the 'makara samkrama pooja' on Friday evening, marking the finale of two-month pilgrimage to the famous Lord Ayyappa temple.
They were returning after 'makara jyoti', held as a divine light by the devotees, which flickered across the eastern horizon above the Ponnambalamedu after the pooja.
The pooja was conducted with the idol of the deity adorned with the holy jewels "Thiruvabharanam", brought to the sanctum sanctorum in a ceremonial procession moments before the 'aarti'.
