Pilgrimage turned into a painful last journey for two young devotees

Pilgrimage turned into a painful last journey for two young devotees at Ramateertham temple located near Nellimarla, 10 km from Vizianagaram.

The victims Santosh and Kumar died on the spot after slipping from Bokonda hill, when they along with their friends, were on their way to Ramateertham temple to participate in Shivaratri festival on Monday. Since they did not return home their family members became anxious.

After searching for their whereabouts for the whole day on Tuesday, the family members could trace them on a rocky area on the hills. According to locals, many devotees avoid taking the regular route and use the dangerous paths on the hills to minimise the travel distance.

According to locals, this was not the first time such an accident is taking place on the route. Nellimarla Sub-Inspector, Ashok visited the spot and sent the bodies to Vizianagaram Government Hospital for postmortem. The temple authorities urged devotees not to take risk while suggesting them to come in regular safe route.

Both the victims were residing at Dasannapeta Street in Vizianagaram.