Tourists climb a cross in Keralam’s Munnar, sparking outrage

Church authorities have lodged a complaint with the Munnar police and are demanding strict action after a group of tourists climbed the holy cross at Pallivasal near Munnar in Idukki.

According to church officials, the four youths climbed a cross attached to St. Anne’s Church in Pallivasal, which falls under the Vijayapuram Diocese of the Latin Catholic Church. The incident took place as tourists flocked to the Pallivasal hills, which recently witnessed the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers. The group climbed the structure, took photos and posted them online. Church authorities lodged a strong protest after the images went viral on social media, calling the act a sacrilege.

Vijosh Mulloor, vicar of St Anne’s Church, said devotees regularly climb the hill to observe the Stations of the Cross on Fridays and throughout Lent.

“This act desecrates Christian religious symbols. The church has formally filed a complaint with the Munnar police demanding that a case be registered and strict action be taken against those who desecrated the Holy Cross,” Fr. said Mulloor.

Police officials noted that the youths are suspected to have climbed the cross either on Friday or Saturday and efforts are currently underway to identify them.

Published – 19 Sep 2026 19:24 IST