New Delhi - At least 12 worshippers were killed and seven injured in a stampede outside a Hindu temple in India's western state of Gujarat on Sunday, media reports said. The devotees were crushed to death on a narrow path leading to the Pavagad temple located on top of a hill in the eastern Panchmahal district, the NDTV network reported.
Thousands of people had gathered at the temple of Hindu goddess Mahakali, on the third day of the nine-day festival known as the Navratris.
"The stampede occurred between devotees who were coming down the hill and those who were climbing their way up," senior district official RK Rathod told the PTI news agency.
There were huge crowds standing in the narrow lane for offering prayers at the temple and the local administration had made no arrangements despite the heavy rush during the festival, the NDTV reported.
State officials estimated that 100,000 people were present at the Pavagad temple, considered among the most sacred Hindu temples in Gujarat, which lies 160 kilometres south-east of state's main city of Ahmedabad.
The NDTV report said that seven injured were taken to a hospital in the nearby town of Halol and the Gujarat government would set up an inquiry to probe the incident.
Hindus worship nine forms of Goddess Durga, including Mahakali, during Navaratris, which means nine nights in Sanskrit. The Navaratris also kicks off the festival season in India, which ends after the New Year celebrations.
