Kazhugumalai temple fall: Newly-wed woman, 24, dies after monkey scare at Thoothukudi hill shrine
Synopsis
A month-married woman died instantly after panicking at a monkey troop and losing her footing on the rocky edge of the Uchipillayar temple atop Kazhugumalai hill in Thoothukudi — her husband watching helplessly. The incident puts a harsh spotlight on Tamil Nadu's persistent failure to enforce wildlife feeding bans at crowded hill shrines.
Key Takeaways
Anitha , 24 , a resident of South Thittankulam, Thoothukudi , died on 27 June after falling from the hilltop Uchipillayar temple at Kazhugumalai .
She had been married to Suresh for barely a month; the couple was on a post-wedding pilgrimage.
Police say she reportedly panicked when a large troop of monkeys converged around her while she was feeding them fruits, lost her balance near the hill's edge, and fell onto rocky terrain below.
The accident occurred in front of her husband; eyewitnesses were unable to intervene in time.
A case has been registered; police are verifying all aspects of the incident as investigations continue.
The tragedy has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of wildlife feeding bans at Tamil Nadu's hill pilgrimage sites.
A 24-year-old newly married woman died after falling from a rocky hilltop at the Kalugasalamoorthy temple complex in Kazhugumalai, Thoothukudi district, on Saturday, 27 June, after reportedly panicking when a troop of monkeys surrounded her near the edge of the hill. The fatal accident unfolded in front of her husband and has reignited concerns over wildlife safety at Tamil Nadu's hill pilgrimage sites.
What Happened at the Hilltop Shrine
The victim, Anitha, a resident of South Thittankulam in Thoothukudi district, had married Suresh barely a month before the incident. Suresh, who is employed overseas, had recently returned home, and the couple had chosen to visit the revered Kalugasalamoorthy temple to offer prayers as part of a post-wedding pilgrimage.
After completing worship at the main temple, the couple climbed to the Uchipillayar temple situated atop the rocky hill. According to the preliminary police investigation, they were feeding fruits to monkeys when a large number of the animals suddenly converged around them.
Startled by the unexpected movement, Anitha reportedly panicked and attempted to move away quickly. In the ensuing confusion, she lost her balance near the edge of the hill and plunged into the rocky terrain below. She sustained severe injuries and died instantly.
Husband's Shock, Eyewitness Response
The accident unfolded directly before Suresh, who was left in a state of shock. Eyewitnesses rushed to the spot but were unable to intervene in time to save her. Videos circulating on social media showed the grief-stricken husband breaking down beside his wife's body as temple visitors gathered at the scene.
Police personnel, assisted by local residents and temple authorities, conducted a rescue operation to recover the body from the hillside. It was subsequently shifted to a government hospital for post-mortem examination.
Police Investigation and Findings
A case has been registered, and investigators are examining the sequence of events leading to the fatal fall. Police stated that available evidence indicates Anitha accidentally slipped after becoming frightened by the monkeys, though all aspects of the incident are being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Broader Safety Concerns at Hill Temples
The tragedy has renewed urgent calls for stricter safety measures at hill shrines across Tamil Nadu. Despite repeated advisories asking devotees not to feed wild animals, the practice remains widespread at popular pilgrimage sites. Wildlife and temple authorities have previously warned that feeding encourages aggressive monkey behaviour, significantly raising the risk of accidents — particularly on elevated, rocky terrain with limited protective barriers.
This is not the first incident of its kind at Tamil Nadu's hill temples, where the combination of steep drops, large monkey populations, and heavy devotee footfall has long been flagged as a hazard. Authorities are expected to face renewed pressure to enforce feeding bans and improve safety infrastructure at such sites.
Point of View
Not a freak accident. Tamil Nadu's hill temples have carried documented monkey-aggression risk for years, and advisories against feeding wildlife have been issued repeatedly — to little effect. The real accountability question is why temple administrations and district authorities have not moved beyond advisories to physical deterrents, safety barriers at exposed edges, and enforceable feeding prohibitions. A newly married woman is dead, her husband traumatised, and the policy response so far has been the same circular warning. That cycle needs to break.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Kazhugumalai temple in Thoothukudi?
A 24-year-old newly-wed woman named Anitha died on 27 June after falling from the rocky hilltop Uchipillayar temple at Kazhugumalai in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Police say she lost her balance near the edge of the hill after panicking when a large troop of monkeys suddenly surrounded her while she was feeding them fruits.
Who was the victim and what was she doing at the temple?
The victim was Anitha, a resident of South Thittankulam in Thoothukudi, who had married Suresh barely a month before the incident. The couple had visited the Kalugasalamoorthy temple complex for a post-wedding pilgrimage; the fatal fall occurred at the Uchipillayar shrine atop the hill.
What does the police investigation say?
A case has been registered and investigators are examining the full sequence of events. Police stated that available evidence indicates Anitha accidentally slipped after being frightened by the monkeys, though all aspects are being verified as part of the ongoing investigation.
Why are monkeys considered a hazard at Tamil Nadu hill temples?
Feeding by devotees encourages large monkey troops to gather at hilltop shrines, where they can behave aggressively. Combined with steep, rocky terrain and limited protective barriers, this creates serious accident risk. Authorities have repeatedly issued advisories against feeding wild animals at such sites, but compliance remains poor.
Is this the first such incident at Tamil Nadu hill temples?
No. The Kazhugumalai tragedy is part of a broader pattern of monkey-related incidents at hill pilgrimage sites across Tamil Nadu, where the combination of elevated terrain, large primate populations, and heavy devotee footfall has long been flagged as a safety hazard by wildlife and temple authorities.
