Guwahati: Patriotic People’s Front Assam (PPFA), a northeast India-based forum of nationalist citizens, lauds Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for highlighting the importance of Hinglaj Mata Mandir in Balochistan locality of south-west Pakistan, citing the link with Maa Kamakhya Devalaya atop Nilachal hills in the city. Amid the growing uprising among Baloch people against the illegal occupation and misrule of Islamabad over their land since 1947, CM Sarma commented that Balochistan holds profound historical and spiritual significance for Hindus, primarily as the sacred home of Hinglaj Mata Temple, one of the 51 revered Shakti-Peeths across Bharat.
“Nestled in the rugged terrains of Hingol National Park, the temple (Nani Mandir as Balochs affectionately call) is believed to mark the spot where the forehead of Goddess Sati fell, making it one of the holiest sites in Shaktism,” said Sarma on his social media handle, adding, “For centuries, Hindu pilgrims, particularly from the Sindhi, Bhavsar, and Charan communities, have undertaken arduous journeys across deserts to seek blessings at this shrine.” The holy place is also deeply respected by the Baloch people, reflecting a rare legacy of inter-communal reverence and shared heritage.
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Years back, the PPFA urged the Union government in New Delhi to take necessary initiative for revitalizing the Hinglaj temple, which is connected to Kamrup Kamakhya legends. The sacred temple is located in a mountain cave on the bank of Hingol river, which is adjacent to the Makran coast of Arabian Sea. It 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 in front of her and facing disgrace, Sati immolated herself. Angry Maheswar arrived there and cut Daksha’s head. Then Mahadev took Sati’s corpse on his shoulder and started wandering with Tandava Nritya. Finally 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 the Hindus, said the PPFA statement adding that Sati’s forehead with Hingul (sindoor/ vermillion) fell on the place, where the Hinglaj temple is located. The most sacred part (Yoni) fell on Nilachal hills of present-day Guwahati, where the Kamakhya temple is situated.
(Nava Thakuria is a senior Indian journalist who contributes to various media outlets including print and digital platforms of India and across the world.)