Despite the politicians having divided India, none can severe the Religious bond between India and Pakistan.
One of the 52 Shakti Peetas is in Hinglaj, Balochistan province about 250 km north of Karachi.
The Teertha.
An important stop during the pilgrimage is the mud volcano called ‘Chandrakup’ (Bengali: চন্দ্রকূপ, literally ‘Moon Well’), mainland Asia‘s largest mud volcano.
It is considered holy and is addressed as ‘Baba Chandrakup'(literally Father Moonwell).
The volcano is filled with mud, instead of magma, hence the term “mud volcano”.
It is considered to be the abode of demigod Babhaknath. It is one of the few sites of active volcanic activity in the Asian mainland.
The mud is semi fluid and sometimes it spills over and aggregates and cools into hillocks which surround the site.
There are altogether 18 mud volcanoes in the region.
There is another such mud volcano in Andaman Islands, India
“It is considered as one of the famous and largest TEERATHS Pilgrimage of Subcontinent.
It is held in great veneration by both Hindus and Muslims. It is dedicated to Hinglaj Devi, the Goddess of Fate, Muslims call it Bibi Nani or simply
Nani.
In “Nani” there is a survival of ancient Goddess “Nanaia”, whose Semitic name is “Anhita”. Hinglaj Devi alongwith another Devi called “Kurukullh” was
once upon a time, universally worshipped. Hingula means “cinnabar”, largely used as materia medica in ancient India.
Since “Hingula” cures snake bites and eliminates all types of poisoning, it came to be identified with healing of all sorts of diseases.
”
Despite the independence and the increasing Islamic stance of the Pakistani Government and society, Hinglaj has survived and is in fact revered by
local Muslims who call it ‘Nani ki Mandir’.
Muslims offer red or saffron clothes, incense, candles and a sweet preparation called ‘Sirini’ to the deity[citation needed].
The Muslims protected sites like Hinglaj which are the last vestiges of the Hindu society which once straddled the area.
Hingula means cinnabar (HgS Mercuric Sulphide). It was used in ancient India to cure snakebite and other poisonings and is still employed in
traditional medicine.
The Goddess Hingula is thus believed to possess powers which can cure poisoning and other diseases.
The Muslim name ‘Nani’ is an abbreviation of the name of the ancient Goddess “Nanaia“, whose Persian name is “Anahita“.
The Dadhichi Mantra.
Dadhici was the Sage , who, out of His Backbone made made the Vajrayutha and gifted it to Indra, the Chief of the Devas.
”
The mantra or incantation for Devi Hinglaj is attributed to Saint Dadhichi, an important saint in Hindu theology. The mantra is :
ॐ हिंगुले परमहिंगुले अमृतरूपिणि तनुशक्ति
मनः शिवे श्री हिंगुलाय नमः स्वाहा
OM HINGULE PARAM HINGULE AMRUTRUPINI TANU SHAKTI
MANAH SHIVE SHREE HINGULAI NAMAH SWAHA
Translation : “Oh Hingula Devi, she who holds nectar in her self and is power incarnate.
She who is one with Lord Shiva, to her we pay our respects and make this offering (swaha).”
Yet another incarnation:
ब्रह्मरंध्रम् हिंगुलायाम् भैरवो भीमलोचन: |
कोट्टरी सा महामाया त्रिगुणा या दिगम्बरी ||
BRAHMARANDHRAM HINGULAAYAAM BHAIRAVO VIMALOCHANAH
KOTTARI SAA MAHAAMAAYAA TRIGUNAA YAA DIGAMVARI
Translation : “Mahaamaayaa (Queen of Illusions) who represents the supreme virtue by reigning over all three virtues, has Bhimalochana as her
Bhairava, and derides the worldly trappings by dancing naked, resides in this cave of Hingula that enshrines her sacred head.”
Legend:
1. During the Treata Yuga, in the days of PARUSHURAM AVATAR, Rishi Dadechi narrated this story.
In the TATARI MONGOL CLAN there lived a king named VICHATAR. He had two sons HINGOL and SUNDER. They belonged to Suria Dynasty of Kshtrya
class.They were brave but cruel and lived luxurious lives.
Their empire was adjacent to China. The people who lived in these countries belonged to Chandra Dynasty of Kshtrya Class and were followers of LORD
SHIVA.
Prince sunder attacked the neighbouring countries and killed thousands of people and looted gold ornaments and demanded royalties from them.
The people then prayed to Lord SHIVA to save them from the cruel prince by fulfilling their prayers and request , Lord SHIVA granted a boon where GANESH DEVA killed the demon prince Sunder in three days.
After the death of Prince Sunder, his brother Hingola became furious and swore to take avenge his brother’s death.
He underwent penance and by his austerity for years he received the boon that no living being in the three worlds could kill him with any sort of weapon and his death will only occur at a place where Sunlight does not penetrate.
He thereafter defeated other kings, extended his reign with terror and cruelty.
He referred to himself as HINGOL DEVA.
People became very sick and tired in his reign and they performed great Yagna Hawan in their Devi Mata Temple in order to get rid of HIngol, the King.
Devi Mata appeared and promised to kill Hingol. Hingol came in SATA DEEP, presently located in Balochistan and went inside a dark cave where Devi
Mata with her wooden weapon TRISHUL killed him.
In his last moments of life hingol prayed to Devi Mata that in future this place may be called after his name as HINGAL TEERATH and so the place came
to be known.
2. According to another story in the PURAN , once SATI the consort of LORD SHIVA and the daughter of King Daksha was annoyed with her father for
not inviting LORD SHIVA in the ceremony of Yagna.
She jumped to in Agni Havan Kunda and burnt herself. LORD SHIVA then became furious and came and took the dead body of SATI and started
roaming in all the dishas and there was danger created all over the world.
Hence LORD VISHNU cut the body of SATI in pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to cool down LORD SHIVA’s anger.
The pieces of SATI’S body fell at differant places; the head with its Hingul (Sindhoor, Vermillion) fell at this place on the Kunraj hills and it was named as
HingulParvat and the Peeth was known as Shri Hinglaj Mata Asthan.
This Peeth is considered supreme because Sati’s head had fallen here.
How To Reach:
It is about 170 miles 250 KM from Karachi. One has to go by road on main Karachi-Quetta Highway (RCD) up to zero point for about 75 miles.
Then by road towards west through Lyari town and then to Signal fauji camp stop,crossing Aghore River.
Then through Goongi River and last stop to “Asha Pura” sarai (IN)
Citations:
http://hill-temples.blogspot.in/2010/10/hinglaj-matajee-temple-balochistan.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinglaj
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