Hamirpur, Mar 14 (PTI) A month-long Chaitra fair commenced at the historic shrine of Baba Balak Nath in Deotsidh town in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district on Saturday.
Chanting religious hymns, thousands of devotees from Canada, UK, USA and New Zealand and across India visited the temple to offer prayers.
Hamirpur Additional Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Garg inaugurated the fair by unfurling a red flag at the temple and offered prayers. He also took part in the havan at the temple. Temple’s Mahant Rajendra Giri was also present on this occasion.
Baba Balak Nath is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, and is widely respected and worshipped by the people of Northern India.
The temple is located atop the Dahualgiri hills of Shivalik ranges of Himalayas on the boundaries of Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts.
Nearly 70-75 lakh lakh devotees pay their obeisance to the deity throughout the year and major rush is seen during the Chaitra month that started today.
The devotees offered ‘roates’ (a flatbread made of wheat flour, ghee and sugar) and sought blessings of the deity.
Garg said that adequate steps had been taken for making the fair fruitful for the devotees.
He said that the temple trust with the help of the local people had made arrangements for the fair.
Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh said that adequate numbers of security personnel have been posted for maintaining law and order around the temple complex and outside.
A temple spokesperson said that the temple would remain open round the clock except ‘aarti’ hours for the devotees. PTI COR BPL NB
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