Tourists climb holy cross in Munnar's Pallivasal, church files police complaint

Church authorities at Pallivasal near Munnar in Idukki district have lodged a complaint with the Munnar police after a group of tourists climbed a holy cross and photographed themselves atop the structure.

According to church officials, four youths scaled the cross associated with St. Ann's Church in Pallivasal, which falls under the Vijayapuram diocese of the Latin Catholic Church. The images were subsequently shared online, drawing condemnation from the church, which described the act as sacrilegious.

The incident took place amid a surge of visitors to the Pallivasal hills, which have recently drawn crowds following the blooming of Neelakurinji flowers.

Vijosh Mulloor, Vicar of St. Ann's Church, said the hill is regularly used by devotees who climb it to observe the Way of the Cross on Fridays and through the Lenten season. He said the act tarnishes Christian religious symbols and confirmed that the church has formally approached the Munnar police, seeking registration of a case and strict action against those responsible.

Police officials said it is suspected that the youths climbed the cross on either Friday or Saturday, and that efforts are under way to identify them.