An Aiyappa devotee from Chennai, died at the top of Velliangiri hills, some 40 km from here.

The 55-year old Ravichandran, part of a group of devotees from Chennai, after visiting some temples, had climbed atop the Seventh Hill of Velliangiri last evening, police said.

He suddenly developed breathing problem, coupled with severe cold and swooned.

On information from other devotees, some forest and temple officials rushed to the spot, but could not recover the body due to darkness.

A group of Anti Poaching Squad and forest officials are taking efforts to bring down the body, even as the relatives of Ravichandran are reaching here from Chennai.