Mass burials are being held in India's Gujarat state Wednesday for the victims of the country's worst sectarian violence in nearly a decade. 

The official death toll from clashes between Hindus and Muslims stands at more than 600. But that number is expected to rise even higher as officials recover more bodies. 

The violence started last Wednesday. Fifty-eight people burned to death after a Muslim mob attacked a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, sparking Hindu reprisal killings of Muslims. 

The hardline World Hindu Council Tuesday agreed to let the Supreme Court decide if they can build a temple at Ayodhya, a holy site also claimed by Muslims. The Council also is petitioning the government to hand over land near the disputed site, so that it can hold a Hindu ceremony there later this month. 

Hindus claim Ayodhya, saying it is the birthplace of a Hindu god. Hindu fanatics tore down a 16th century Mosque that had been built on the site. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.

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