Last month thousands of devotees made a pilgrimage through blistering plains and jagged terrain to reach the sacred Hinglaj Devi temple in Balochistan province of Pakistan. Pilgrims walked along winding highways and sandy pathways more than 10 hours in the blistering heat with extreme spiritual dedication. 

The three-day-long festival, traditionally held in mid-April, is the largest Hindu pilgrimage of Pakistan, with more than 250,000 participants. Heightened security concerns, however, pushed the event's calendar to early May this year.

Hinglaj Mata, or Hinglaj Devi, is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites, which is located in Hinglaj, a town on the Makran coast of Balochistan, Pakistan.  The temple is nestled within the Hingol National Park; this ancient revered site has great religious and spiritual importance to Hindus.

The temple is one of the 51 shakti peeths. Hinglaj Mata temple is also one among the sole two Shakti Peethas found in Pakistan, the other being Sharada Peeth. The temple is located inside a cave in a mountain and on the shores of the Hingol River, meant to worship the fierce yet kind manifestation of Goddess Durga. In the last three decades, Hinglaj Mata has become a focal spiritual place and a unifying element among Hindus in Pakistan.

Legend Behind The Temple:

As per Hindu mythology, the significance of the temple Hinglaj Mata lies in the legend of Goddess Sati and the origin of Shakti peethas. Sati, who was the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, married Lord Shiva against her father's will. 

One day King Daksh organised a grand Yajna, where he invited all the gods and goddesses but did not invite Lord Shiva, as he was displeased with Lord Shiva. When Goddess Sati went to her father and asked about this, King Daksha insulted Lord Shiva with harsh words. Goddess Sati, unable to bear the humiliation, immolated herself in the sacrificial fire.

Lord Shiva, heartbroken, started performing Rudra Tandav with her dead body, which started causing devastation in the world. To relive his sufferings and restore the cosmic balance, Lord Vishnu intervened and dismembered Sati's body into 51 parts with his Sudarshanchakra, which fell across the Indian subcontinent. Places where each part fell became known as Shakti Peeths. 

At each site, Shiva is worshipped as Bhairava, the consort and guardian of the goddess. It is believed that a small part of Sati’s upper head fell at Hinglaj, establishing its divine sanctity.

Sacred Site And Its Spiritual Significance:

The temple of Hinglaj Mata cave lies in the rocky hills of Lyari Tehsil in the province of Balochistan. Hinglaj Mata is thought to be a very powerful goddess who gives blessings and protects her devotees. 

In several Hindu texts, particularly those composed in Sanskrit, the goddess is called Hingula, Hingalaja, Hinglaja, and Hingulata.

The Sacred Ponds Of Hinglaj:

Surrounding the temple, there are some holy kunds (ponds) where devotees bath and perform the purification ritual:

Anil Kund: The pond is located on the hilltop and involves the two-hour difficult hike. The most spiritually important, it represents the fulfilment of the pilgrimage. It is said to gain the goddess's blessings by reaching there.

Brahma Kund, Kir Kund, and Kali Kund: Further into the valley and linked by a stream, each of these ponds has specific importance. Kir Kund has water droplets that are believed to heal skin and eye ailments. Brahma Kund, linked to Lord Brahma's meditation, is said to grant wishes. Kali Kund, over Brahma Kund, is associated with Goddess Kali and worshipped for its healing waters.

Til Kund: It is situated to the northwest of the temple and is of special importance to Lord Shiva's followers. Pilgrims used to rub black sesame seeds in their hands until they became white, indicating purification of the soul. Water here is said to have sesame oil with medicinal virtues.

Sharan Kund: Situated close to the temple, this pond was accessible till 2009 but later cemented in 2011 after it was barely visible.

Apart from these, there are Ratna Kund, Surya Kund and Chandra Kund