Pavagadh: Two pilgrims lost their lives and four others sustained injuries after a rockfall struck devotees climbing the steps to the Kalika Mata Temple on Pavagadh hill this morning.

The incident occurred between 5 am and 6 am near Patiya Bridge (Patiyapul) when boulders suddenly tumbled onto the pilgrimage route leading to the hilltop shrine. Rescue teams recovered two bodies from the debris, while the injured were rushed to a hospital in Halol for treatment. The deceased were reportedly from Kheda district.

Vidhi Chaudhary, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Godhra Range, said the area had been receiving heavy rainfall since Thursday night. Many pilgrims begin their climb in the early hours to attend the temple’s 5 am aarti, and the affected group is believed to have started the ascent around 2 am.

She said the devotees had taken shelter under a large boulder during the rain, but the same rock, along with others nearby, later became dislodged and fell on them.

Chaudhary confirmed that two persons died and four were injured and are undergoing treatment. The police officer also cautioned that the hilly terrain around Pavagadh remains prone to rockfalls during the monsoon season. DeshGujarat