Baba Balak Nath shrine closed

Hamirpur, March 17

The doors of Baba Balak Nath (BBN) shrine at Deotsidh were closed following the Covid-19 scare today. DC Harikesh Meena, who is also the Chairman of BBN Trust, said the shrine would remain closed till further orders.

Meena said the decision was taken as a health advisory by the Chief Secretary. He said the trust authorities had made arrangements for live broadcasting of morning and evening prayers held at the main temple. These prayers would be conducted as usual by the priests.

He also appealed to devotees from other states to avoid visiting the temple as the advisory was strictly imposed and entry to the temple complex was banned. OP Lakhanpal, temple officer at BBN temple, said the doors were closed at 2 pm on the orders of the Deputy Commissioner. Devotees who had come to the temple were asked to leave the premises.

Harikesh Meena said all people were also directed to refrain from organising any community kitchen including langar, bhandara, dham, and preeti bhoj until next instructions. People should also follow instructions pertaining to coronavirus, he added. — OC