Coimbatore: A 55-year-old Palladam native died while climbing the Velliangiri hills to reach the Shiva temple atop the seventh hill on Friday night.The deceased was identified as K Rangasamy of Devarayanpalayam. Forest department officials had advised the man, who was unwell, not to climb the hill. But he ignored the warning. He found it difficult to breath when he reached the fourth hill and collapsed. After other pilgrims alerted them, forest department officials sent a team of tribals to the spot. They brought his body to the plain. It was later sent to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for postmortem.Alandurai police have registered a case under Section 174 CrPC.According to forest department sources, more than 5,000 devotees were scaling the rocky terrain on Saturday to offer worship at the temple. “The trek begins from Poondi Velliangiri Temple located at the foothills in Boluvampatti forest range in Coimbatore. The pilgrims would take at least five to six hours to reach the Velliangiri Aandavar temple located at a height of 2,000metre,” Boluvampatti range officer Palaniraja said.Those who are not healthy, should not scale the hills, he added.

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