Hinglaj Mata Temple: The Biggest Shaktipeeth of Pakistan

Hinglaj Mata Mandir, also known as Hinglaj Devi, Hingula Devi and Nani Mandir, is a Hindu temple in Hinglaj, a town on the Makran coast in the Lasbela district of Balochistan, and is the middle of the Hingol National Park.

What is Hinglaj Mandir?

It is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas in Shaktism denomination of Hinduism. It is one of the three Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, other two being Shivaharkaray and Sharada Peeth.

Shaktipeeth

This sacred Shaktipeeth is located in the Hinglaj area on the banks of the Hingol River in the Balochistan area of Pakistan, which is 217 kilometers away from Karachi. Most of the journey has to be done through the desert, which is extremely difficult.

Location

The shrine is in a small natural cave. There is a low mud altar. There is no man-made image of the goddess. A small divine form of Hinglaj Mata is worshipped. The stone is smeared with sindoor.

Etymology

Muslims call Hinglaj Devi as 'Nani Mandir' and visit there as 'Nani Ka Haj.' Muslims from all over Balochistan also worship the Hinglaj Shakti Peeth.

Devotion of Muslims

There is a religious festival held in April every year, in which people come from remote areas, especially Hindus.  Passport and visa are necessary for Hingula Devi's visit.

Religious Festival

Chul is a coral enclosure that is made 10 feet long outside the temple and is filled with blazing embers on which the eunuchs and devotees walk to the temple, and they feel only a little pain. There is no harm to the body and wishes are definitely completed.

Goddess's Chul

Pilgrims in Hinglaj also climbing the Chandragup and Khandewari mud volcanoes. Devotees throw coconuts into the craters in the Chandragup mud volcano to make wishes and thank the gods for answering their prayers.

Mud Volcanoes