Hinglaj Shaktipeeth Pakistan History & Timings

Hinglaj Shaktipeeth is additionally known as Hinglaj Devi, Hingula Devi, and Nani Mandir. It is a Hindu temple in Hinglaj, a town on the Makran coast in the Lasbela district of Balochistan, and in the middle of the Hingol National Park. It is among the 51 Shakti Peethas in the Shaktism religion of Hinduism. It is just one of the two Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, the other being Shivaharkaray( Sarkare ShaktiPeeth).

It is a form of Durga or Devi in a mountain cavern on the banks of the Hingol River. Over the last 3 decades, the place has gained increasing popularity as well as became a unifying point of reference for Pakistan’s many Hindu communities.

The cave temple of Hinglaj Mata is in a narrow gorge in the remote, hilly area of Lyari Tehsil in Balochistan. It is 250 kilometers to the northwest of Karachi Pakistan. The local Muslims, particularly the Zikri Muslims also hold Hinglaj Mata in reverence and provide security to the shrine. They call the temple the “Nani Mandir”. Local Muslim tribes along with Hindus make a pilgrimage to the Hinglaj Mata shrine and some call the pilgrimage the “Nani Ki Haj”.

History and Significance of Hinglaj Shaktipeeth

The chief legend of Hinglaj Mata relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva despite his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the yajna site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as vilified Shiva. Not able to withstand this insult, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksheshwara. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Upper part of the head’ of Sati fell to this place.

Hinglaj Mata is said to be a very powerful deity who bestows good on all her devotees. While Hinglaj is her primary temple, temples dedicated to her exist in neighboring Indian states Gujarat and Rajasthan. The shrine is known as Hingula, Hingalaja, Hinglaja, and Hingulata in Hindu scriptures, specifically in Sanskrit. The goddess is known as Hinglaj Mata (the Mother Hinglaj), Hinglaj Devi (the Goddess Hinglaj), Hingula Devi (the red goddess or the Goddess of Hingula), and Kottari or Katavi.

The architecture of Hinglaj Shaktipeeth

The Temple is made my natural cave so there is no man-made temple.

Idol/ Deity of Hinglaj Shaktipeeth

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 shapeless stone is worshiped as Hinglaj Mata. The stone is smeared with sindoor (vermilion), which possibly gives the location its Sanskrit name Hingula, which is the origin of the present-day name Hinglaj. In Hingalaj Mata Temple bhairav is worshiped as Bhimalochan.

Festivals at Hinglaj Shaktipeeth

The main festival of Hinglaj Shakti Peetha is Navaratri. Hinglaj Yatra is the largest Hindu pilgrimage in Pakistan. More than 250,000 people take part in the Hinglaj Yathra during the Navratri.

How To Reach Hinglaj Shaktipeeth

For Indians, All devotees need to apply for visas at the Pakistan embassy. After approval of the visa, you can go by train or plane.

By Air

The nearest international airport is in Karachi. This is at a distance of almost 250 kilometers from Hinglaj Shaktipeeth.

By Rail

Indian is going to Pakistan via Samjhauta Express Train. The nearest Railway station is 250 kilometers from Hinglaj Shaktipeeth. It is advisable to reach the temple through local transport.

By Road

There are several buses that connect to Hinglaj. Local and private transport are also available in plenty.

Other places of worship in and around Hinglaj 

Ganesh Deva, Mata Kaali, Gurugorakh Nath Dooni, Braham Kudh, Tir Kundh, Gurunanak Kharao, Ramjarokha Bethak, Aneel Kundh On Chorasi Mountain, Chandra Goop, Khaririver and Aghore Pooja.

Pooja and Aarti Timings

Hinglaj Mata Timing

Morning Timings	Evening Timings
5:00 AM to 01:00 PM	3:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Hinglaj Mata Aarti Timing

Morning Aarti Timing	Evening Aarti Timing
06:15 AM	06:15 PM

Hinglaj Shakti Peeth Video

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