it is very sad that in India in most of the famous pilgrimage centres, whether it is Tirupati, Kanakadurga or Sabarimala devotees throng in particular season or days and the crowd becomes uncontrollable in the limited space available. This is particularly due to the barricades created outside as well as inside the temple premises and the push and pull becomes unbearable, leaving the devotees stranded within the barricades. During this season, I am told, in Sabarimala (a hill shrine in south Kerala)witnesses lakhs and lakhs of devotees and every year there are a dozen deaths happening due to stampede, heart attacks etc. Devotion and belief cannot be at the cost of other's liveds. self discipline and patience is utmost important when deveotees undertakes pilgrimage.
