Two die during Lord Kallazhagar Vaigai entry event in Madurai

A 61-year-old man died during Lord Kallazhagar’s Vaigai River entry event, part of the Chithirai festival, in Madurai on Monday (May 12, 2025). Another man, aged 43, was found unconscious near the venue, close to Goripalayam, and later died.

A 61-year-old man died during Lord Kallazhagar’s Vaigai River entry event, part of the Chithirai festival, in Madurai on Monday (May 12, 2025). Another man, aged 43, was found unconscious near the venue, close to Goripalayam, and later died.

According to sources, Boominathan, 61, a native of Tirunelveli, took part in the event on the Vaigai river near Goripalayam. Sources said he secured entry into the venue with a temple pass. As thousands of devotees were waiting to receive Lord Kallazhagar, he fainted at the venue.  

Following this, he was taken to an emergency ambulance stationed at the venue. As the exit point for ambulances was not properly allotted, it led to some confusion. After a brief delay, the patient was taken to Government Rajaji Hospital for treatment, but the doctors declared him ‘brought dead’.  

The doctors further said he was a cardiac patient and was on medication. Only a postmortem examination could confirm the exact cause of death, they added.

Another man named Kannan, 43, who was found unconscious near Goripalayam, was declared dead by doctors when he was taken to GRH. The cause of his death is not known yet, and further details are awaited.