Himachal’s Baba Balak Nath Temple to Introduce New SOP After Alleged Irregularities

Officials said the Himachal Pradesh district administration is drafting a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Baba Balak Nath Temple in Hamirpur following reports of irregularities during the counting of temple offerings. The new system aims to establish a transparent and accountable framework similar to those used by the Kashi Vishwanath and Mata Vaishno Devi temple trusts.

A temple trust spokesperson said on Saturday that the revised SOP will strengthen oversight of offerings, sale of items, and overall financial management after two employees were arrested earlier this month in connection with discrepancies.

The district administration has acknowledged the need for reforms and will soon roll out a digital system to improve accuracy and transparency.

Under the new SOP, each round of counting will generate a printed receipt listing the number and denominations of notes counted. The count will be verified manually, and every bundle will be sealed in a plastic cover labeled with the quantity and amount. Officials said the new procedure will minimize human error and eliminate the possibility of manipulation.

According to information available on the Hamirpur district website, Siddh Baba Balak Nath is a revered Hindu deity worshipped across northern India — particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Jammu & Kashmir. His temple, located at Deotsidh, is one of the region’s most prominent pilgrimage centers.

In addition to cash, devotees offer ghee, flour, rot (a traditional sweet), and other items to the deity. However, officials noted that the temple trust has previously faced allegations of irregularities in the sale and auction of such offerings. The district administration is now studying the management practices of other successful temple trusts to adopt a similar model for Deotsidh.

Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner and Temple Trust Commissioner Amarjeet Singh, along with ADC Abhishek Garg, will visit the temple after Diwali to conduct an on-site review. The new SOP will be finalized following their inspection.

Confirming the plan, Garg said the goal is to make the counting and handling of offerings fully transparent and foolproof.

Meanwhile, temple official Sandeep Chandel said that old structures at Baba Balak Nath Temple are being demolished to make way for a ₹65-crore restoration project funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The redevelopment aims to provide improved facilities for pilgrims visiting from across India and abroad.

Once the demolition is complete, the project is expected to be finished within two to two-and-a-half years. The tendering process has already been completed, and materials are being delivered.

Under the plan, an eight-storey parking complex with capacity for around 250 vehicles and lift access will be built along the main road. The existing Sarai No. 7 will be replaced with a four-storey lodging facility featuring large halls for pilgrims.

Additional developments include a four-storey building housing a library, museum, and Ayurvedic hospital, as well as a new administrative block and access ramps for devotees’ convenience.