The spot where the stampede that claimed over 100 lives has been a traditional forest trekking path used mostly by devotees from Tamil Nadu to reach the hillshrine of Lord Ayyaappa.
The area is known as 'pulmedu' as it is a large stretch of grassland in Periyar Wildlife Reserve on the steps of the Western Ghats.
The trekking route is a short-cut for pilgrims from places like Cumbon, Theni an
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/news/mishap-spot-grasslands-frequented-tigers-and-leopards
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/newspaper/deccan-herald-bangalore
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/periyar-np
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/kerala
[5] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/tiger
[6] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/wildlife
[7] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/people-animal-conflicts