Collector Issues New Restrictions for Devotees Visiting Perumalmudi, Melmudi Temples in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: New restrictions have been introduced for devotees visiting the Perumalmudi and Melmudi temples located in the hill forest areas of Coimbatore district, aimed at ensuring both devotee safety and forest conservation. The decision came after a district-level coordination meeting chaired by Coimbatore District Collector Pawan Kumar Giriyappanar, held to address concerns over forest ecology and devotee security at the two temples. Large numbers of devotees visit the Perumalmudi and Melmudi temples on Purattasi Saturdays. Since these temples are located within forest areas, the heavy footfall of devotees creates several challenges, including threats to forest ecology, wildlife and biodiversity protection, prevention of garbage accumulation, and avoiding forest fires. Following this, multiple restrictions have been imposed on devotee visits during Purattasi Saturdays. Devotees heading to the Perumalmudi temple must travel only through the Mangarai checkpoint. Those visiting the Melmudi temple will be permitted only through the checkpoint located at the foothills of Palamalai. Travel via the Thadagam route has been banned. Devotees will be allowed to proceed to the hill area only between 7 am and 10 am. Those who complete their darshan must return to the respective checkpoint by 4 pm. A maximum of 1,000 devotees and 250 vehicles will be permitted per day at the Perumalmudi temple. At the Melmudi temple, a maximum of 500 devotees and 150 vehicles will be allowed. This includes both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. A safety fee of Rs 15 per person will be collected for maintaining cleanliness and carrying out restoration work in the forest area. Devotees will be permitted to proceed to the hill area only after undergoing a proper health check-up conducted by health department officials. Additionally, a complete ban has been imposed on single-use plastic items and easily flammable materials. The District Collector has requested the public and devotees to extend full cooperation to ensure both devotee safety and the protection of the forest area's natural resources and biodiversity. It is notable that the meeting chaired by the District Collector was held after a person from Chennai, who had gone trekking to the Melmudi temple last week, died of a cardiac arrest.