Hamirpur, March 14 A month-long Chaitra fair began at the historic shrine of Baba Balak Nath in Deotsidh town in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday.
Thousands of devotees from Canada, the UK, USA, and New Zealand, as well as across India, visited the temple to offer prayers, chanting religious hymns.
Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore unfurled a red flag at the temple and offered prayers. She also participated in the havan ceremony at the temple. Temple Mahant Rajendra Giri was also present on the occasion.
Baba Balak Nath is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, and is widely revered and worshipped by people in Northern India.
The temple is located on the Dahualgiri hills of the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas, on the border between the Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts.
Nearly 70-75 lakh devotees pay their respects to the deity throughout the year, with a particularly large influx during the Chaitra month, which began today.
The devotees offered 'roates' (a flatbread made of wheat flour, ghee, and sugar) and sought blessings from the deity.
Deputy Commissioner Rathore said that adequate measures had been taken to ensure the fair is a success for the devotees.
She stated that the temple trust, with the help of local people, had made arrangements for the fair.
Hamirpur Superintendent of Police Balbir Singh said that adequate security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order around the temple complex and outside.
A temple spokesperson said that the temple will remain open 24 hours a day, except during the 'aarti' hours for devotees.