Belgaum, Jun 17 (PTI): At least eight pilgrims, including six women, were killed today when a bus went out of control and ran over them on the Bangalore-Pune Highway near here, police said.

The victims, who were walking on the roadside, were on "Dindi Yatra" to Pandharpur in Maharashtra, as part of the annual 'Devashayani Ekadasi' fair at the abode of Lord Panduranga.

The driver of the bus has been arrested, Yamankanmardi Police Sub-Inspector Basvaraj said. The bus was heading to Belgaum from Chikkodi.

Several other injured pilgrims were admitted to Belgaum Civil Hospital, police said.

Thousands of devotees from north Karnataka and adjoining Maharashtra take up this traditional march along the highways to Pandharpur as well as Tuljapur, abode of Goddess Tulja Bhavani, during the season of 'Ashadi Ekadashi', an auspicious day of Lord Vishnu and is a festival of religious processions which is celebrated during June-July.