Baba Balak Nath (Deotsidh) itinerary

Plan 01

1 day at Baba Balak Nath

1. 01

   Day 1: Shahtalai and the Deotsidh cave

   Start early at Shahtalai to take darshan and buy rot, then continue by taxi or bus to Deotsidh. Climb the staircase of shops to the temple gate, queue for darshan and make your offering. Spend a short time at the hilltop edge and, if you are curious, ask staff to point out the Radha-Krishna temple and the Bhritrihati Mandir. Eat at the langar or a stall and begin your return before the afternoon heat.

Plan 02

2 days at Baba Balak Nath

1. 01

   Day 1: Shahtalai and Deotsidh

   Visit Shahtalai in the morning, buy rot and continue to Deotsidh on a weekday if you can. Take darshan, make your offering, visit the secondary shrines and the hilltop view, then rest at the sarai or a nearby hotel.

2. 02

   Day 2: Bilaspur and Naina Devi

   Drive towards Bilaspur for a lake outing on Gobind Sagar if the season allows. If you have the energy, continue to Naina Devi and use the cable car for the final climb. Return in the evening.

Plan 03

3 days at Baba Balak Nath

1. 01

   Day 1: Arrive via Una or Hamirpur

   Arrive from Una, Hamirpur or Bilaspur and settle in. Visit Shahtalai in the late afternoon and have an early dinner.

2. 02

   Day 2: Deotsidh darshan

   Go up to Deotsidh early on a weekday, take darshan, see the secondary shrines and the hilltop view, then eat at the langar and rest in the afternoon.

3. 03

   Day 3: Gobind Sagar and Naina Devi

   Spend the day on Gobind Sagar and at Naina Devi, using the cable car if needed, then begin your journey home.

Pacing

Pacing a Baba Balak Nath (Deotsidh) trip for parents and children

• Go on a weekday in the cooler months. Sundays and the March to April fair mean long queues and heavy crowds.
• Take a taxi or jeep up the hill rather than walking from Shahtalai, and start early before the day warms up.
• The approach to the shrine is a staircase of shops. Rest on the landings and carry water.
• Women take darshan from a platform opposite the cave. Ask staff to confirm current arrangements and where seating is available.
• Keep prasad covered and bags zipped, since monkeys near the shrine snatch food.
• Building work is reported to be under way. Check what is open and arrange pick-up points ahead.

Baba Balak Nath (Deotsidh) with elderly parents: the full guide →