From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:01 PM IST

President Pratibha Patil Monday condoled the deaths of 145 people in a stampede at the Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh.

'The president has conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and has also sent her prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,' an official press release from Rashtrapati Bhavan said.

The stampede Sunday at the Naina Devi shrine was caused by rumours that boulders were rolling down from the hill shrine. There was a heavy rush of devotees due to Sawan Navratras, or the first nine days of the Hindu month of Shravan.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)