1999 Sabarimala stampede

The 1999 Sabarimala stampede refers to a tragic event that occurred on January 14, 1999, during the annual Makaravilakku pilgrimage at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India. This pilgrimage is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, attracting millions of devotees to the shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. On that fateful day, a massive rush of devotees resulted in a deadly stampede, claiming the lives of at least 51 people and injuring many others. The incident was exacerbated by overcrowding and inadequate crowd control measures. In the aftermath, the Kerala government faced criticism for its failure to ensure the safety of the pilgrims, leading to calls for improved infrastructure and emergency protocols at the temple site.