Five pilgrims were killed and over 20 persons were injured in a stampede at the Naina Devi temple in Himachal Pradesh's [Images] Bilaspur district on Sunday.

"Five devotees were killed in the stampede, which took place after a railing on the way to the temple collapsed," Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, S R Mardi told PTI.

Over two dozen people were injured after nearly 100 devotees fell down in the melee at the temple, about 160 km from Shimla, he said.

A large number of pilgrims had gathered at the temple to offer prayers on the occasion of Navratra and the railing on way to the temple collapsed due to the heavy rush, resulting in the stampede, official sources said.

Superintendent of Police K K Indoria and other senior district officers have rushed to the temple about 60 km from the Bilaspur district headquarters.