Parvathamalai temple climb restricted to 5.30 am–1 pm amid rains in Tiruvannamalai
Synopsis
Heavy rains have forced Tamil Nadu authorities to impose strict time, age, and hourly caps on the Parvathamalai hill temple climb in Tiruvannamalai — a 4,560-foot trek that already takes four hours on a three-foot-wide trail. A district-level committee will decide daily whether the route stays open at all.
Key Takeaways
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has restricted climbing at Parvathamalai hill to between 5.30 am and 1 pm daily following heavy rains.
Only devotees aged 18 to 60 are permitted; children, the ill, and persons with disabilities are barred.
A maximum of 100 devotees per hour may begin the ascent to prevent overcrowding on the 3-foot-wide , 4.5 km forest trail.
A committee led by District Collector Vandhana Garg will assess weather conditions daily to decide on continued access.
The hill has more than 30 tribal hamlets , and the 1920s-era mud pathway is their only link to towns in the plains.
Plastic items and water bottles are banned along the route to protect the forest environment.
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has imposed fresh climbing restrictions at the Parvathamalai hill temple near Kalasapakkam in Tiruvannamalai district, following heavy rainfall that has made the steep ascent hazardous. Devotees wishing to visit the Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple atop the 4,560-foot hill are now permitted to begin their climb only between 5.30 am and 1 pm each day, until further notice.
Who Can and Cannot Climb
Forest officials have stipulated that only individuals aged between 18 and 60 years may undertake the trek. Children, persons with illnesses, and persons with disabilities have been barred from the route under the current restrictions. Officials noted that rainfall has rendered the steep trail slippery, significantly increasing the time required to complete the ascent — ordinarily at least four hours from the foothills to the hilltop shrine.
How Entry Is Being Regulated
To prevent overcrowding and stampede-like situations, only 100 devotees are permitted to begin the climb every hour. The temple draws approximately 1,000 visitors daily, making structured entry management essential along the narrow forest trail. The approach route — a mud pathway near Then Mathimangalam and Then Kadaladi villages — covers roughly 4.5 km through forest and is only three feet wide in places. Plastic items and water bottles are banned along the route to prevent littering within the forest.
The Committee Overseeing Access
A high-level committee chaired by District Collector Vandhana Garg will determine whether visits can continue, based on ongoing rain forecasts. Members of the committee include Superintendent of Police R. Uthayakumar, District Forest Officer K. Sudhagar, and representatives of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The hill falls within the Pudupalayam Range of the Tiruvannamalai Forest Division.
Tribal Communities Along the Route
Notably, the Parvathamalai area is home to more than 30 tribal hamlets, including Kanamalai, Ezhuthampattu, Neepathurai, and Arasanoor. The existing mud pathway — originally laid during British rule in the 1920s — remains the only link between these communities and towns in the plains, adding a layer of complexity to any decision to fully close access.
What Happens Next
Access to the temple will remain subject to daily weather assessments by the committee, alongside the timing, age, and hourly entry caps already in place. Pilgrims are advised to check conditions before beginning their journey to the foothills, as restrictions could be tightened or eased depending on rainfall intensity in the coming days.
Point of View
But its enforcement on a three-foot-wide trail with no alternative route will test the administration's on-ground capacity.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Parvathamalai temple climb been restricted?
The Tamil Nadu Forest Department imposed restrictions after rains made the steep, narrow trail to the Lord Mallikarjuna Swamy temple dangerously slippery. The 4,560-foot ascent already takes at least four hours, and wet conditions increase the risk of accidents on the three-foot-wide forest path.
What are the current timing and age rules for the Parvathamalai trek?
Devotees may begin the climb only between 5.30 am and 1 pm each day. Only individuals aged between 18 and 60 are permitted; children, people with illnesses, and persons with disabilities are not allowed under the current restrictions.
How many pilgrims are allowed on the Parvathamalai trail at a time?
A maximum of 100 devotees are permitted to start the ascent every hour, as a measure against overcrowding and stampede-like situations. The temple normally attracts around 1,000 visitors daily.
Who decides whether the Parvathamalai temple remains open?
A committee chaired by District Collector Vandhana Garg — including the Superintendent of Police, the District Forest Officer, and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department representatives — assesses the rain forecast daily and decides whether visits can continue.
Are there communities living near the Parvathamalai trail?
Yes. More than 30 tribal hamlets, including Kanamalai, Ezhuthampattu, Neepathurai, and Arasanoor, are located in the Parvathamalai area. The mud pathway — originally built during British rule in the 1920s — is the only route connecting these communities to towns in the plains.
