PATHANAMTHITTA: A 35-member group of pilgrims, including children, who came from Chennai to Sabarimala after knowing that they would have to wait in the queue for up to ten hours, returned without performing darshan. The non-cooperation of the police was also the reason for this. The said group reached Pampa at 6 pm on Friday.

On their return journey, they reached Chengannur railway station on Saturday and came to know about the Othera Punnakad Ayyappa temple that has 18-steps. Then they went to this temple and made offerings inside the Irumudikett there. The group also performed 'Neyyabhishekam' at Othera temple. Temple Advisory Committee President Suresh Narayanan made the arrangements. The group returned home by train at 6 pm yesterday.

Vinobabu of the group told Kerala Kaumudi that when they tried to enter the queue for pilgrims after bathing in Pampa, the police pushed the group, including children. They had four children aged five and six. They have been visiting Sabarimala for twenty-four years and never before had such an experience. "A complaint will be filed with Tamil Nadu government and will meet the media and describe their ordeal. But we will come to Sabarimala next year as well," Vinobabu said.

The team included lawyers and government officials from Chennai.

Due to the death of a member of the royal family, the Pandalam Dharmashastha temple was closed, so the group could not visit here either.