The district administration has fixed a cap on the number of trekkers to Perumalmudi and Melmudi, two mountain peaks in the district that attract devotees during the Tamil month of Purattasi, amid concerns over visitor safety and the impact of heavy footfall on the forest ecosystem.
A maximum of 1,000 devotees will be allowed at Perumalmudi and 500 at Melmudi on Purattasi Saturdays. The administration has also capped the number of vehicles at 250 and 150, respectively, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
The restrictions were decided at a district-level coordination meeting chaired by District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar on Wednesday.
Devotees heading to Perumalmudi will have to use the Mangarai check-post, while those visiting Melmudi will have to enter through the check-post at the foothills of Palamalai. Entry through Thadagam will not be permitted.
Trekkers will be allowed to proceed between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. and will have to return to the respective check-posts by 4 p.m.
The administration will collect ₹15 per person towards cleaning and maintenance of the forest area. Devotees will be allowed to trek only after undergoing a health check by the Health Department. Single-use plastic and inflammable materials have been prohibited.
The Hindu had highlighted the heavy footfall at Perumalmudi and Melmudi and the absence of adequate safety protocols and guidelines in its columns on September 29.
The Collector said the increasing number of devotees visiting the two temples, which are located within forest areas, posed challenges in regulating movement, preventing accumulation of waste and forest fires, and protecting wildlife and biodiversity.
He appealed to devotees to cooperate with the administration in ensuring their safety and protecting the forest environment.
Published – October 01, 2026 07:58 pm IST
