Bodies of devotees are seen in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, India, Sunday, 03 Aug 2008

Authorities in northern India say as many as 150 pilgrims have died and at least 48 others have been injured in a stampede at an annual Hindu festival. 

Officials in Himachal Pradesh state say the tragedy occurred Sunday when a metal railing along a narrow mountain path leading to the Naina Devi temple collapsed under the weight of tens of thousands of devotees.

They say rumors of a landslide triggered the stampede, as people tried to flee to safety. Bad weather was complicating recovery and rescue efforts, but officials say police used a cable car to ferry down the dead and wounded. Helicopters rushed scores of injured people to nearby hospitals. 

The temple was packed at the time of the tragedy. The incident happened in the district of Bilaspur,on the second day of the nine-day Shavran Navratras festival that honors the Hindu goddess Shaktri.