At least 147 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, the state government says.
At least 147 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu temple in the north-western Indian state of Rajasthan, the state government says.
More than 150 people were injured in the incident at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur.
More than 150 people were injured, many seriously, in the crush at the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur.
A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of devotees marking the start of the Hindu Navaratra festival.
A wall near the temple is said to have collapsed, causing panic among thousands of devotees marking the start of the Hindu Navaratra festival.
There have been a number of deadly stampedes in Indian temples recently.
There have been a number of recent deadly stampedes at Indian temples.
Last month 140 people were killed in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says this is the fourth time this year that lives had been lost - probably needlessly - during a stampede at a religious festival in India.
Before dawn, thousands of people had made their way to the hill-top temple in a huge 15th Century fort overlooking Jodhpur.
He says crowd control at such events is usually rudimentary and the police simply not trained in effective crowd management.
It is not entirely clear why the stampede happened, but an official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall on the narrow path leading to the temple caused people to flee in panic.
Last month 140 pilgrims were killed in a stampede at a mountain temple in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.
"People are still buried under the wall. We are pulling them out," Kiran Soni Gupta told AFP news agency.
'Still buried'
TV news channels showed pictures of injured devotees lying on the streets, and relatives trying to revive unconscious pilgrims.
The Chamunda Devi temple is inside the huge 15th Century Mehrangarh Fort, high above Jodhpur's "blue city".
It is popular with tourists and local people - particularly at this time, the start of the nine-day festival of Navaratra.
Before dawn, thousands of people had made their way to the hill-top temple overlooking the city.
It is not entirely clear why the stampede happened, but something triggered panic among men queuing in the narrow lane leading to the temple.
Hundreds rushed down the hill crushing those waiting at the bottom.
"People were falling over one another. Many ran but were trampled under the feet of thousands," one witness, Anubhav, told Reuters news agency.
An official in Jodhpur said the collapse of a wall on the narrow path leading to the temple caused people to flee.
"People are still buried under the wall. We are pulling them out," the official, Kiran Soni Gupta, told AFP news agency.
Rajasthan's Home Secretary SN Thanvi said: "The stampede began when people lost their footing and set off a chain reaction."
Television footage showed dozens of injured littering the streets.
With no first aid available at the scene, people tried desperately to resuscitate the unconscious as others scooped up bodies and took them to hospital.
"When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," local student Manish said.
"When I arrived, I saw chaos, people running around the place. I was looking for my friend and after a while found him," local student Manish said.
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
"He was unconscious but without serious injuries."
The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.
The authorities have ordered an investigation into the incident.
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments.
Are you in Jodhpur? Did you witness the stampede at the Chamunda Devi temple? Send us your comments.
