PPFA insists on revitalizing Hinglaj temple in Balochistan

Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Balochistan

Guwahati, Oct 9: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA), a northeast India based forum of nationalists insisted on revitalizing Hinglaj Mata Mandir, a Shakti Peeth located in Balochistan and connected to Kamrup Kamakhya legends and urged the Central Government to pursue the Balochistan authority for necessary steps.

It may be mentioned that Hinglaj Mata temple in a mountain cave on the bank of Hingol River inside Hingol National Park, which is adjacent to the Makran coast of Arabian Sea in the south-west of Pakistan, is a revered place for Hindus and thousands gather there to pray in front of Mother Goddess Shakti with rituals.

In a recent conversation with the scribes at Guwahati Press Club through video conferencing, Baloch nationalist leader Hyrbyair Marri mentioned about the temple, which is presently in a deplorable condition due to unwanted interferences of the Pakistan Army.

Marri, who is the president of Free Balochistan Movement, however, stated that Baloch nationals maintain high regard to the shrine even though the majority of them are Muslim, said a statement of PPFA.

The idols of Goddess Shakti at Hinglaj temple

The temple has an idol of Goddess Shakti (Sati), daughter of Daksha Maharaj, who married Lord Shiva against her father’s wish. Mythology narrates that in an important Yagna, organized by proud king Daksha, Sati (Parvati) and Shiva were not invited, but she wanted to attend the ritual. Daksha humiliated Shiva like anything and facing the disgrace, Sati immolated herself.

Angry Maheswar soon arrived there and cut Daksha's head. Then Mahadev took Sati’s corpse on his shoulder and started wandering with Tandava Nritya. Then with an aim to douse Shiva’s rage, Lord Vishnu cut Sati's mortal remains into 51 pieces through Sudarsan Chakra. Body parts of Sati fell in various localities on Earth and all locations are today regarded as shrines by Hindus.

The Kamakhya Temple of Assam

It is believed that Sati’s head with Hingul (vermillion/sindoor) had fallen on the place (now under Balochistan) where the Hinglaj temple is located. The most sacred part (Yoni) fell on Nilachal hill of present-day Guwahati (then a part of Kamrup empire), where the famous Kamakhya temple is situated.

“We appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a personal interest to enhance diplomatic efforts to revive the Hinglaj temple and pave easier ways for Indian pilgrims to visit the shrine. As the Baloch nationals are legitimately secular in nature, they may also be taken into confidence in fulfilling the mission,” concluded the PPFA statement.