Corona outbreak: Baba Balak Nath temple in HP's Deotsidh closed

As a precautionary measure to stem the spread of coronavirus, renowned Baba Balak Nath temple at Deotsidh in Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district was closed indefinitely for pilgrims on Tuesday, a district official said.

The temple was ordered closed on the fourth day of the month-long annual Chaitra festival by when tens of thousands of pilgrims had already paid obeisance at the temple since beginning of the fair on Saturday, he said.

Nearly ten lakh pilgrims visit the temple every year during the month-long annual fair which begins on March 14 every year.

The DM ordered closure of the temple till further orders, an official said, adding the step has been taken in compliance with the orders of state's additional chief secretary (Health).

There will be a ban on the entry in the premises of Baba Balak Nath Temple, Deotsidh till further orders, he added.

Necessary instructions have been issued to the local police and temple officials in this regard, he added.

The morning and evening prayers in the temple, however, will continue uninterrupted as usual, but only authorised priests will perform it, he added.

For the convenience of devotees, arrangements are being made to broadcast the 'puja-archana' live through webcasting on social media, he said, adding the darshan and worship of Baba Balak Nath ji too will be broadcast live on the official website of the temple trust.

The district magistrate appealed to all devotees from outside Himachal Pradesh to co-operate with the government for their own welfare and safety.

He said as per the orders of state's additional chief secretary (Health), social functions like satsang, jagran, kirtan, langar, bhoj, bhandara and other parties and community feast would also be banned till further orders.

The DM also urged people of the district not to travel to crowded places outside their homes unless it is very necessary, so as to avoid COVID-19. If it is necessary to leave the house for some urgent work, take precautions to check the spread of the deadly virus, he added.