Haridwar, Nov 8 (PTI): At least 16 people, mostly women, were killed and several others injured in a stampede during a religious ceremony attended by tens of thousands of devotees near Har Ki Pauri today.

The stampede occurred when people tried to enter the yajnashala at Chandidweep Ghat on the banks of Ganga for the centenary celebrations of Acharya Pt Shriram Sharma, the founder of Shatikunj Ashram.

SDM Haridwar Harbir Singh said 16 people were killed in the stampede. ”It appears that suffocation in the area led to the stampede but exact cause will only come out after an inquiry,” he said.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal was also holding 'yajna' at the ashram when the stampede broke out.

Police sources said nearly two lakh people from near and far had gathered for the ceremony, which is considered to be biggest after the Kumbh mela.

Police officials blamed the Shantikunj Ashram authorities for not involving the police and district administration in the management of the ceremony where lakhs of people had gathered during the past few days.