[Reader-list] The Goddess Hingala Of Baluchistan

[francesca recchia]

thanks for sharing this!

francesca recchia
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--- On Tue, 14/4/09, anupam chakravartty <c.anupam at gmail.com> wrote:

From: anupam chakravartty <c.anupam at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Reader-list] The Goddess Hingala Of Baluchistan
To: "sarai list" <reader-list at sarai.net>
Date: Tuesday, 14 April, 2009, 8:11 AM

dear pawan,

A very interesting and informative story there.

regards,
anupam

On 4/14/09, Pawan Durani <pawan.durani at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> *The Goddess Hingala Of **Baluchistan***
>
> *By Sanjay Godbole*
>
>
>
> “Baluchistan “ is a State in Pakistan, having a fairly vast expanse.
> Hingola
> is an ancient river, which traverses across the terrains of Baluchistan. A
> mountain named ‘Khirdhar’ is situated at the banks of river Hingol. At the
> extreme end portion of this mountain, which is popularly known as *Kanraj*,
> there is an ancient cave known as ‘*Hingalaj*’. This place is situated
> in *Tehsil
> Lyari *of Baluchistan and is, since ancient times, reckoned as the largest
> and the most famous place of Worship of the Goddess Hingla in the Indian
> Sub-continent. The “Hingalaj” cave is located at a distance of 250
> kilometers from “Karachi”  on Karachi-Quetta highway. On the eastern side,
> is situated a town called Lyari. Next to Lyari, not very far, is located a
> military base of Baluchistan. One has to cross two rivers named Aghor and
> Gungi, to arrive at Ashapura Sarai hermitage’ charitable rest house for a
> camping halt where the Hingalaj cave is situated in the near vicinity.
>
> At this location, there are some old temples of worshiping such as Lord
> Ganesha, remains like Goddess mother Kali, Guru Gorakhnath, Brahmkunda, Ram
> Zarokha, Anil Kund and holy place of Gruha of Goddess Devi.
>
> During the Treta-Yuga epoch or era (according to Hindu mythology there are
> 4
> yugas (Eras) Satyayug *Dwaparyug,* Treta-Yuga and *Kalki*-*Yug* .When *
> Parshuram* incarnated, *Dadhichi* the Famous ascetic sage had penned a
> predictive story. King *Vichatar*, a descendent of a Tartar
> *Mangol*Dynasty, ruled this province. He had two sons, named “Hingol”
> and “Sunder”
> * Sunder* brutally oppressed the populace. The harassed public, propitiated
> Lord Shiva, and the Lord Ganesha (Son of Shiva). Lord Ganesha killed
> Sunder.
>
> Later on, Sunder’s brother, Hingol, who had received boons, which ensured
> that he (Hingol) would not meet death by any weapon whatsoever, in any of
> the three lokas (worlds)' as per Hindu mythological concept three worlds
> exist worlds *Swarg, Mrityu. Pataal Hingol*, all the same, would not remain
> immune to death. Hingol soon became insolent and opressed his subjects. He
> also added new territories to his Kingdom. He, thereafter, suo moto,
> assumed
> the title as Hingol Dev (God Hingol). Ultimately, the people as a resultant
> reaction, worshipped “Goddess Shakti”.
>
> The Goddess killed Hingol in a cave at a place known as “*Satdeep*” in,
> what
> is known as ‘Baluchistan’today. Hingol, just before meeting his death,
> requested and prayed to Goddess Shakti, that he be identified and be
> synonymous with his name. The place, thenceforth, was known as “*Hingol
> Tirth*”.
>
> When Alexander the great, invaded “Sistan” now called “Baluchistan”
> presently, in the year 325 B.C., the Greek forces were camping at the banks
> of river “Hingol”. Sikandar waged a war with the King of “Balikot”. Some
> devotees of Goddess Hingla were there, to worship the Goddess Hingla and
> they were all safe.
>
> Emperor “Vikramaditya” at the time of Vanquishing India, visited this place
> as a devotee. King, Todarmal, contemporary of Emperor “Akbar” had also
> visited this place as a devotee. So also did many Rajput nobles, and
> personalities such as Biharimal, Madhusingh, & Raja Jagtatsingh visit the
> place.
>
> *Dada Mek-han*, the famous saint of Gujrat, came all the way from Gujarat,
> to visit and have glimpses of this holy place. Those devo-tees, visiting
> this place Hingalag are addressed as ‘Kapdis’. The pilgrims, after
> completion of their pilgrimage, sport a string, made out of “Thumra”, a
> variety of stone, mined from “Thatta” in Sindh.
>
> Prior to the partition of British India, in 1947, many devotees, especially
> from “Gujarat” and “Rajasthan” regularly visited “Baluchistan” to
> propitiate
> Goddess “Hingla”. Travelling was not that easy and comfortable at that
> time.
> The travellers had to undertake the tedious journey by braving the barriers
> such as rough and sloppery roads, jungles, mountains and crossing of
> challenging rivers. This tedious journey, at times had to be completed on
> the back of camels or in a Palanquin and would last for about a month or
> so.
>
> Shri Varsimal Devani, a Trust of Swami Narayan Temple , a religious cult
> popular as Vaishnava, residing on Mohamad Ali Jinnah Road in Karachi, is
> also a trusth of Hingla Mata Temple of Baluchasitan. He also arranges tours
> to Hingla Teerth. He very graciously made available to me some fine
> photographs of Hinglamata Mandir.
>
> According to Shri Devani, the Goddess Hingla Devi being famous all around,
> devotees from Africa and even Europe frequent this pilgrimage spot in
> multitudes.
>
> As per the legend, in Uttar Ramayana, Lord Rama visited Hingla Teerth in a
> sortie in his aircraft “*Pushpak*” and bathed in the water basin (Jal
> Kunda)
> here. One spot in this area is identified with Lord Rama’s sacred visit.
>
> Shri. Devani further added, that the temple of Hingla Mata is inside a cave
> and it admeasures 25 feet by 12 feet. There is no idol of the deity, but
> only the Astan (Seat) and the trident.
>
> A priest is duly appointed for carrying out daily rituals and general
> maintenance and house keeping.
>
> Each year a minimum of Twenty five thousand strong contigent of devotees
> visit there for pilgrimage. They offer flowers and coconuts to the Goddess
> Hingla. Some offer a cloth piece suitable for Blouse, making such an offer
> is considered to be auspicious. Some offer “Saubhagya Lenis” and even
> silver
> canopies Umbrellas i.e. according to Hindu belief, a married lady is
> considered to be fortunate, if she passes away prior to her husband. Since
> dry fruits are available in abundance in Baluchistan, these are offered to
> the deity and are distributed to the visitors as blessings of the deity.
>
> Devani said that the members of “Zigri”, a Baluch tribe reside in this
> area.
> They also worship the deity and take a vow. When their vows are fulfilled
> these “Zigri Baloch come to the spot and offer Mithi roti (Sweetened
> Bread).
> All the members of their family gather on such an occasion. They address
> Hinglamata as “Nanima” . (Nani means mother’s mother ). All the security
> personnel of this temple are Baloch. This was specifically mentioned by
> Shri. Varsimal Devani.
>
> As per the legend described in “Shiva-Purana” Sati’s main mortal remains
> fell over this part of the land. Sati was the daughter of “King Daksha” and
> wife of Lord Shiva who preferred to go “Sati”. (Sati according to orthodox
> Hindu beliefs, a married woman after the death of her husband should
> immolate herself on the pyre of her husband , this it is claimed is
> necessary for her salvage in future births) . Hence this place assumed
> importance in the specified holy places of the Goddess.
>
> But exactly like the “Sharada” temple in Kashmir, this place Hingla Teerth
> is now in Pakistan. Hence we (Indians) are deprived of an easy access do
> this place.
> **(The author is a noted Archeologist, a linguist and expert on the history
> of South-West Asia)*
> **
> *Source: Kashmir Sentinel*
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