Himachal: All set for the month-long Chaitra fair at DeotSidh

Hamirpur (HP), March 12(UNI) All is set to hold the month-long Chaitra fair of Baba Balak Nath at Deotsidh in Hamirpur district from March 14th (Monday), officials informed on Saturday. The fair will start with the flag hoisting ceremony that would be followed by havan and other puja activities. Baba Balak Nath is the incarnation of Lord Karthikeya, the son of Lord Shiva who had spent many years on the Dhaulagiri hills of the Shivalik ranges of Himalayas and in his memory, this function is organized every year from the First day of Desi month of Chaitra. The fair is getting much significance this time as the HP Chief Minister, Jai Ram Thakur is paying a day-long visit to the temple complex and nearby areas to inaugurate the newly constructed Langar Bhawan and to lay the foundation stone of Swarinm Yatri Niwas for the Baba’s devotees visiting the temple from time to time. With the reports of the arrival of the Chief Minister, the local authorities have once again swung into action giving final touches to the preparations and to intensify the security in the temple as it is also frequented by countless people every Sunday from all parts of India. Nearly fifty to sixty lakh people from across the country and abroad visit the temple every year and pay their obeisance to Babaji for the welfare and well-being of their families and themselves. They offer roates made of wheat atta, gur, and desi ghee, karha Prashad made of sooji, sugar, and desi ghee, and seek his blessings. The fair was not held during the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic and thereafter only the temple pujari was responsible for the puja at the cave as devotees were not allowed to enter the temple premises. However, the temple was re-opened when some concessions were given after the Covid cases started receding in the district but visitors were allowed only after observing proper SOP and is likely to be followed in the upcoming fair as well. It’s worth mentioning here that the temple is managed by a government-owned trust known as Sidh Baba Balak Nath temple trust, Deotsidh since January 16, 1987, under the HP “Hindu Public Religious Institution and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984”. A tehsildar ranked officer manages the temple affairs and is known as the temple officer. SDM, Badsar under whose jurisdiction, the temple falls is the Chairman of the temple trust, and the Deputy Commissioner, Hamirpur is the Commissioner of the trust. Puja of Shri Baba Balak Nath Ji is performed twice a day. Rot Parsad of “Bhog” is offered to Shri Baba Balak Nath Ji in each puja accompanied by two different parties. Since women are not entitled to visit the cave of the Babaji, a special platform had been set up just opposite the cave. During the Covid-19 period when the devotees were not allowed to visit the caves, both men and women had darshan of the Babaji cave from the platform, thereby proving that all were the same in the darwar of the almighty. The temple trust provides lunch and dinner absolutely free of cost in its langar. Besides, one can also get 24-hour free meals by just asking the temple authorities. However, langar by the private parties has been banned by the authorities in wake of the Corona guidelines as the sporadic Corona cases were still coming in various parts of the state including Hamirpur district. The Deputy Commissioner, Debasweta Banik, who is also the Commissioner of the Sidh Baba Balak Nath trust which is managing its affairs has visited the temple campus three times during the last two months for supervising the preparations for the month-long fair here. She held talks with the temple management as well as the local people and told them to gear up men and machinery for the successful organizing of the annual fair. Banik told UNI that all preparations were complete for the fair and extra police force and Home Guards had been deployed for security and order during the meals (fair)up to June. The entire administration of the temple has been divided into four sectors for better management of mela and the temple would remain open round the clock during the entire duration of the mela, she added. Similarly, proper arrangement for water has also been made at places where there are no taps. Pitchers and water tankers are also used for the supply of water supply as and when needed. A visit to the temple showed that the authorities are taking no chances for the successful organization of the fair which is the main source of income for the temple. The temple is collecting around twenty crores of rupees every year income from the devotees in the shape of offerings. The town is presenting a festive look with the arrival of new items for the benefit of the pilgrims visiting the temple. Shops of roates have also come up and they will sell their products as per the rates fixed by the temple administration. Meanwhile, carrying of arms and ammunition in the entire Badsar revenue subdivision has been banned till the end of the fair and no private langars (free food) will be allowed for the safety of the pilgrims. Deputy Commissioner said that all facilities will be provided to the people visiting the temple town and adequate security measures would also be made for their security and safety. She urged the people to abide by the Covid-19 guidelines and wear facemasks and maintain social distance during the fair for their own safety and well-being.