Devotees Celebrate Navratri at Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan

Devotees Honor Divine Feminine at Pakistan's Ancient Hinglaj Mata Temple During Navratri Festivities
BALOCHISTAN, Pakistan Ali Imra Chatth  (Nazrana Times)

Vibrant Navratri celebrations unfolded at the iconic Hinglaj Mata Temple in Lasbela district, drawing hundreds of devotees under the stewardship of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). The three-day affair, marked by fervent rituals amid the rugged beauty of Hingol National Park, highlighted Pakistan's enduring tradition of religious pluralism.
The festivities kicked off with Jagran night vigils, where devotees chanted hymns under starlit skies, followed by the solemn Ashtami Havan fire offerings on the second day. The event reached its emotional peak with the Wari Visarjan, a symbolic immersion ceremony at the Hingol River, where participants offered prayers for national unity, peace, and economic revival in the face of ongoing regional challenges.
Krishna Sharma, President of the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, emerged as a central figure in the proceedings. He performed the sacred Aarti, led the Maha Havan Yajna, and waded into the river alongside pilgrims to conclude the rituals. "Hinglaj Mata is not just a shrine—it's the beating heart of our shared spiritual legacy, fostering bonds across communities in these turbulent times," Sharma told reporters, emphasizing the site's role in promoting interfaith dialogue.
In a proactive step, Sharma revealed that his committee is compiling an urgent report for federal and provincial authorities, urging investments in modern pilgrim lodges, enhanced medical outposts, and eco-friendly transport links to support the growing influx of visitors. This comes as Balochistan grapples with infrastructure strains from climate events and security concerns, yet the temple remains a beacon of resilience.
Rooted in ancient Hindu mythology, the Hinglaj Mata Temple traces its origins to the Puranic era, revered as one of the 51 Shakti Peeths—sacred sites where fragments of Goddess Sati's body are believed to have fallen to Earth. Legend holds that Sati's earring (or "Hingul" in Sanskrit) landed here, infusing the arid valley with divine energy. Archaeological whispers suggest human veneration dates back over 2,000 years, with inscriptions and artifacts linking it to the Indus Valley Civilization. Over centuries, it has served as a pilgrimage hub for Hindus from Sindh, Gujarat, and beyond, enduring invasions, partitions, and modern upheavals. The annual Hinglaj Yatra in April-May swells its ranks to tens of thousands, transforming the temple—guarded by dramatic mud volcanoes and the Hangol River—into a living testament to faith's unyielding spirit.
Sharma expressed profound appreciation to the Balochistan government for logistical backing, security forces for unwavering vigilance, and a network of volunteers including Versi Mal Dewani, Hari Mohan Solanki, Mukhi Vinod Kumar, and the Gyan Varsha collective. Their collaborative efforts ensured the event proceeded without a hitch, even as unseasonal rains tested the terrain.
As the last echoes of devotional songs dissipate into the Balochistan winds, this Navratri reaffirms Hinglaj Mata's timeless allure, bridging epochs and ethnicities in a nation rich with sacred stories.