Fewer devotees visit Balasundari temple

Tribune News Service

Solan, October 17

Devotees exercised restrain while paying obeisance at Mata Balasundari temple at Trilokpur in Sirmaur district today. Less than half of the usual number of devotees were visible on the first day of the 15-day festival season. A large number of devotees from nearby states throng the temple during the Navratras to seek the blessings of Goddess Durga.

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place by the police to ensure that the devotees do not crowd the temple and all safety protocols are followed. Sirmaur SP Ajay Krishan Sharma said that 490 sleuths comprising 100 private men, 150 Home Guard jawans and 240 policemen had been deployed on festival duty till October 31.

Managing traffic

The focus has been laid on controlling traffic, as a large number of people throng the place in tractor-trailers, causing jams and hassles. It is being ensured that only devotees wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are let into the temple so that there is a minimal threat of the virus spread. —Ajay Krishan Sharma, Sirmaur SP

“The offering of coconut and other items is banned and devotees can’t touch the idols. Besides, people above 65 years of age and children below 10 years are not permitted into the temple.

More devotees are expected to visit the temple tomorrow and on the occasions of Chodas and Ashtami. Extra force will be deployed on these days,” added Sharma. Holding community kitchen and festivities have also been banned.