Hinglaj Mata festival concludes in Balochistan after drawing nearly 300,000 Hindu pilgrims

QUETTA: The three-day annual festival at the historic Hinglaj Mata Temple concluded on Sunday, with participants expressing hope that peace and religious harmony would continue to strengthen across the country and that minorities would work together for national development and prosperity.

The festival began on April 17 in the mountainous terrain of Balochistan and has come to be seen as a prominent symbol of religious tolerance and interfaith harmony. According to the reported details, the gathering is regarded as the third-largest Hindu religious congregation after similar festivals in India and Nepal.

This year, around 300,000 pilgrims attended the event, while nearly one million devotees visit the shrine over the course of a year. Officials viewed the large turnout as a sign of unity.

Thousands of devotees made the journey to the Hinglaj Mata Temple on foot from different parts of Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umerkot and Sanghar. For many, the journey lasted 20 days, reflecting strong religious commitment and, serving as an example of interfaith harmony.

Security and administrative arrangements

The Balochistan government, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and the district administration put in place extensive arrangements for the festival. The PDMA distributed ration bags and other essential supplies among pilgrims.

Deputy Commissioner Lasbela Humaira Baloch and Senior Superintendent of Police Najeebullah Pandrani remained present at the site to supervise administrative and security arrangements.

A large security operation was also carried out for the event. Personnel of the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, police and Levies were deployed to provide security for the gathering.

On the humanitarian side, the Pakistan Coast Guards, PPHI and the Lasbela Health Department set up free medical camps. Specialist doctors and female doctors examined hundreds of pilgrims at these camps and provided medicines without charge.

The Shri Hinglaj Mata Welfare Mandli arranged a round-the-clock bhandara, or langar, to ensure a continuous supply of food, cold water, sherbet and tea for attendees. Mandli President Mukhi Vinod Kumar Lasi, General Secretary Veersi Mal Kediwani and spokesperson Parkash Kumar Lasi were among those working with hundreds of volunteers to assist pilgrims throughout the event.

Political and social figures attend

Several political and social personalities also visited the temple and took part in rituals. Those present included Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader and former Balochistan MPA Mukhi Sham Lal Lasi, Sindh Governor’s Coordinator Vishal Palyani and MPA Sanjay Kumar.

Senator Daanesh Kumar, who also attended the festival, described the temple as one of Hinduism’s holiest places. “The arrival of three times more pilgrims than last year is proof of interfaith harmony and Pakistan being a safe country,” Kumar said while talking to the media.

He said pilgrims were able to perform their religious rituals in the harsh mountainous region without fear. He added that the festival answered negative propaganda about minority rights in the country. “The Hinglaj Mata Mandir festival sends a clear message to the world that Pakistan respects and protects the rights of minorities and promotes interfaith harmony,” he said.

He also praised the efforts of the local administration, volunteers and the Hinglaj Mata Mandir Committee for making arrangements for pilgrims and ensuring the event was conducted in an organised manner.