The cooks, all hailing from this town, were returning to Madurai after a trip to Palani where they prepared food for devottes, when the mishap ocurred.
Police said the van developed some problem, following which some cooks got down and started pushing it from the rear to try and start it.
The bus on its way here from Hosur rammed the van, killing two on the spot, police said.
The bus driver has been arrested, police said.
