Six of the pilgrims were injured in the mishap which occurred when the driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a hair pin bend located at a height of 1,000 feet on the hill route and the van came to a halt after ramming into the protection rails this evening, police said.
It was a close shave for the pilgrims as the van could have hurtled down from the height of 1,000 feet had it not stopped after hitting the rails, they said.
The pilgrims from Udgir of Latur district of Maharashtra were returning after offering worship to Lord Venkateswara.