Pilgrimage to Hinglaj Temple

Published April 25, 2011
Devotees wait outside the Shri Swaminarayan Mandi Temple in Karachi while awaiting transport to pay homage to the Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan.
Devotees wait outside the Shri Swaminarayan Mandi Temple in Karachi while awaiting transport to pay homage to the Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan.
A devotee is dabbed with sacred volcano mud as a spot on his forehead.
A devotee is dabbed with sacred volcano mud as a spot on his forehead.
Devotees push a vehicle stranded in desert while visiting Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
Devotees push a vehicle stranded in desert while visiting Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee walks on the surface of a mud volcano to perform a ritual offering of coconuts.
A devotee walks on the surface of a mud volcano to perform a ritual offering of coconuts.
Devotees climb a mud volcano to perform a ritual.
Devotees climb a mud volcano to perform a ritual.
Devotees walk on a mud volcano to perform a ritual offering of coconuts.
Devotees walk on a mud volcano to perform a ritual offering of coconuts.
A devotee prays inside the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee prays inside the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
Devotees dance to drum beats to praise Shri Hinglaj Mata.
Devotees dance to drum beats to praise Shri Hinglaj Mata.
A devotee strikes a bell while entering the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee strikes a bell while entering the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee is pictured outside the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee is pictured outside the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee showers rose petals while praying inside the temple.
A devotee showers rose petals while praying inside the temple.
Devotees carry dry mud collected from a mud volcano, which is sacred to them.
Devotees carry dry mud collected from a mud volcano, which is sacred to them.
A devotee receives blessings in front of the deity at the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
A devotee receives blessings in front of the deity at the Shri Hinglaj Mata Temple.
Devotees dance to drum beats.
Devotees dance to drum beats.

Every year thousands of Hindus from Pakistan and India gather to attend a four-day ritual at the Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan. The temple is situated on the Makran coast in the Lyari district of Balochistan. Hindus believe that the head of goddess Sati had fallen in the area of Hinglaj Mata and since then, it has remained a revered pilgrimage site for Hindus. –Reuters Photos

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