Guwahati: As Durga Puja (also known as Durgotsav or Sharodotsav) is set to begin next month (11-15 October 2021), a northeast India-based forum of nationalist citizens reiterates its demand to revitalise the Hinglaj Mata Mandir, a Shakti Peeth in Baluchistan, has
mythological connections with Kamrup Kamakhya legends.
Patriotic People's Front Assam (PPFA), in a statement, urged the Union government in New Delhi to pursue with the Baluchistan authorities for necessary steps so that the Sanatani Balochnationals can worship the deity with no fear or trepidation during the annual religious festival that marks the victory of Maa Durga against the demon Mahishasura.
The Hinglaj Mata temple in a mountain cave on the bank of the Hingol river inside Hingol National Park, next to the Makran coast of the Arabian Sea in the south-western part of Pakistan is a revered place for Hindus and thousands gather there to pray in front of Goddess Shakti with rituals.
Prominent Baloch nationalist leader Hyrbyair Marri, while interacting with the PPFA recently, mentioned that the Hinglaj Mata temple is in a deplorable condition because of the indifferent approach of the occupying Pakistani forces in Baluchistan.
President of the Free Baluchistan Movementsaid Baloch people have high regard for the shrine, even though most of them practise Islam. The spirited Balochleader also greeted Baluchistan and Bharat's Hindu families (Hindustan) on the occasion of the impending religious festival that epitomises the victory of good over evil.
The Hinglaj temple has an idol of Goddess Shakti (Sati), daughter of Daksha Maharaj, who married Lord Shiva against her father's wish. According to popular belief, in an important Yajna organised by king Daksha, Sati (Parvati) and Shiva were not invited, but she wanted to attend the ritual. Daksha made humiliating comments against Shiva and, faced with the disgrace, Sati immolated herself.
Angry Maheswar soon arrived there and cut Daksha's head. Mahadev then took Sati's corpse on his shoulder and performed Tandava Nritya as he started wandering about. Then, 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 at various places, and all these locations became places of deep significance and came to be known as Shakti Peeths.
It is believed that Sati's head with Hingul (vermillion/sindoor) fell into the place (now in Baluchistan) where the Hinglaj temple is located.
The most sacred part (Yoni) fell on the Nilachala hills in present-day Guwahati (then a part of the Kamrup empire), where the famous
Kamakhya temple is located.
The PPFA appeals to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a personal interest in activating diplomatic channels to revive the Hinglaj temple and pave easier ways for Indian pilgrims to visit the shrine. As the Baloch nationals are secular in nature, they should also be taken into confidence in fulfilling the dream, concluded the forum.
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