STATE TIMES NEWS
AKHNOOR: The birthday of mother of Baba Ballo Dev was celebrated with religious gaiety and fervour, amid COVID SoPs, at Dev Sthan Akhnoor on Thursday. On the occasion, a number of people thronged the religious place and paid obeisance besides praying for early end of COVID pandemic. The celebrations started with Hawan-Yagya which was also attended by Head Priest of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. Continuing the tradition of showering flowers, brought from Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, over Dev Sthan, this year also a special chopper from Katra was arranged for the purpose which showered flowers over the premises. Pertinent to mention here that every year on February 2, the birth anniversary of mother of Baba Ballo Dev is celebrated at Dev Sthan, which is believed to be 700 years old and is visited by a number of devotees from various parts of the country. Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Yashpal Sharma informed that birthday of Baba Ballo Dev is celebrated on Basant Panchami and this year also, the day will be celebrated, with proper COVID protocols, on February 5, 2022.