The BSE benchmark Sensex on Thursday lost 190 points to fell from 33-
The 30-share barometer closed 190.24 points lower at 20,497.64 points.
The index had gained 485 points to close at a 33-month high level yesterday.
Marketmen said that investors judged the recent bull run an overdone.
The benchmark had opened nearly 100 points higher but profit booking at record levels pulled the Sensex down, they added.
The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty dropped by 56.55 points to close at 6,177.35 points.
The capital sector index, which was a star performer in the previous session, suffered the most by losing 1.95 per cent to 16,106.23.
Larsen and Toubro, the largest engineering company, dropped the most in three months losing Rs 66.30 to Rs 2,012.95 and BHEL by Rs 33.85 to Rs 2,558.65.
The oil and gas sector index lost 1.75 per cent to close at 10,824.95 points as the heaviest on the Sensex, Reliance Industries, fell by Rs 13.90 to Rs 1,058.25 and ONGC by Rs 24.20 to Rs 1,354.85.
However, a rise in information technology stocks, led by Infosys Technologies ahead of its quarter earnings tomorrow, saved the market from further fall.
The sectoral index rose by 0.56 per cent to 6,284.04.
Infosys Technologies, the second-largest software services provider advanced by Rs 33.05 to Rs 3,184.25 while Wipro Ltd, the third-biggest software company, rose by Rs 8.40 to Rs 491.10.
In the 30-BSE index components, 25 stocks fell while five closed with gains.