The Forest Department has appealed to pilgrims to avoid trekking in Vellingiri hills when it is raining.
According to the department, Vellingiri hills have been receiving incessant rains accompanied by gale in the past three days. The department has allowed pilgrims to trek through six-km-long jungle route from Vellingiri Andavar Temple at Poondi in the downhill to the seventh hilltop, where Lord Shiva in Swayambhu (self-manifested) lingam is worshipped, in the months of March and April.
Forest officials said that pilgrims were coming in large numbers to trek the hills braving adverse weather conditions. Trekking the steep hills during rain poses several risks to the devotees such as slipping due to wet terrain, chills and other health issues, they said.
Forest staff posted at the starting point of the trekking route near Poondi temple are advising pilgrims, especially the elderly on the risks of ascending the hills during rain. An official said that there was no restriction imposed from the side of the Forest Department on allowing pilgrims but the advice was merely for their safety.
