Agencies
 
KOTA, Aug 11: After 10 hours of strenuous operation by the Army, all 135 pilgrims were rescued on Monday at the Gaiparnath Mahadev temple where a ladder collapsed due to heavy rush. Two pilgrims have been reported death in the mishap.

State home department sources said the rescued included 35 women and 36 children. Two students identified as Arvind and Deepak died in the temple tragedy.

One injured person was still undergoing treatment at a hospital.

A total of 30 steps of the serpentine stairway over river Chambal collapsed on Sunday after a landslide and heavy rains, stranding nearly 135 pilgrims.

Army jawans used three heavy cranes and five fire tenders to rescue them. Senior officials including District Collector Abhay Kumar and Superintendent of Police Vishal Bansal supervised the rescue operation.

A local official said food packets were provided to the stranded worshippers who had a harrowing time overnight.

The temple of Lord Shiva is located on the foothills of Chambal ravines, about 20 km from here. Hundreds of devotees had come for the pilgrimage.