The annual trekking season to the sacred Velliangiri Hills in the Western Ghats is set to start on February 1, allowing devotees and the public to trek the seven hills until May 31. Authorities are anticipating a notable increase in visitors this year, especially during the Maha Shivaratri festival, and have implemented extra measures to handle crowds and ensure safety. Velliangiri Hills, falling under the Boluvampatti forest range, is a highly revered pilgrimage site in western Tamil Nadu.
Thousands of devotees undertake a challenging 6.5-km trek across steep hills and rocky terrain to reach the seventh hill, home to a Lord Shiva shrine situated at an elevation of around 1,850 meters above sea level. As part of the yearly preparations, tribal communities submit applications to the Forest Department for permission to set up temporary shops along the trekking route, from the first hill to the seventh. During the four-month season, over 45 such shops are typically permitted, offering refreshments, drinking water, and essential items to pilgrims on the demanding climb.
Forest and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department officials have reiterated a strong advisory for individuals with pre-existing health conditions, such as heart ailments and breathing disorders, to avoid the trek. In recent times, there have been reports of several fatalities due to health issues during the climb, highlighting the physical challenges of the pilgrimage. Forest Department records indicate that approximately 2.3 lakh individuals visited the hills during the 2024 trekking season, with the number increasing to nearly 2.5 lakh in 2025, despite the season ending a week early in May due to severe weather alerts.
“We anticipate even larger crowds this year, particularly around Shivaratri. Additional staff will be stationed along the route to manage pilgrim flow and ensure safety,” mentioned a senior Forest official. Authorities have also stressed the importance of pilgrims refraining from carrying plastic items, emphasizing that the hills are part of the environmentally sensitive Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. During the previous season, volunteers collected close to 10,900 plastic food wrappers from the trekking path over four months.
As the season approaches, officials are urging pilgrims to trek responsibly, showing respect for both the shrine’s sanctity and the delicate mountain ecosystem.
