In a shocking incident of stampede at chamunda Temple in Mehrangarh near Jodhpur, more than 40 people were killed and nearly 200 injured during the early hours today.

On the occasion of first navratra, more than 1000 pilgrims which constituted mostly women, gathered at the temple which is located on a Hillock within the famous Jodhpur Forton. This gathering takes place every year during the first navaratra.

The stampede occured when some people tried to rush into the temple in order to avoid the crowd, which turned out fatal. At around 5: 30 am, screaming sounds started coming from the main entrance of the temple.

Mahatma Gandhi hospital was filled with several dead bodies and many injured were being treated. Mathura Das Hospital at jodhpur was also brought into service at this time. Earlier this year, there was another stampeded in Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh which had left 145 dead.

This is second big stampede in which several pilgrims died. (PTI inputs)