The blast took place at steps of the Dashashwamedh Ghat (dock) along the Ganges in Varanasi during a Hindu praying ritual, dedicated to the Ganges goddess, around 18:30 p.m., near the famous tourist attraction Vishwanath temple, which attracted hundreds of people. A stampede which followed the blast also injured some people, said police.

Local media speculated it is highly possible that blast was an act of terrorism as a home-made device at the site was found by police, which apparently targeted the crowds, with many of them Western tourists.

After the blast, several major Indian cities, including the capital New Delhi, have stepped up security measures, said police.

Meanwhile, a state-wide alert was sounded in Uttar Pradesh, where security was tightened earlier on the 18th anniversary of the demolition of a 16th century mosque in Ayodhia in the state.

Local officials said no one was killed in the blast, while local TV channel Headlines Today said earlier four people, including a foreigner, were killed.

Xinhua