QUETTA: A three-day annual Hinglaj Nani Temple festival began on Friday amid tight security, and thousands of Hindu pilgrims from across the country and abroad are participating.

The temple — located in the Kund Malir area of Lasbela — is considered one of the largest pilgrimage sites in Hindu civilisation. The celebrations of the festival could not be held during the past two years due to Covid-19.

The Balochistan government has deployed hundreds of police, Levies and Frontier Corps personnel to provide security to the pilgrims.

More than 800 security personnel were providing security in and around the temple. Security personnel have also been deployed on the route linking the temple.

The festival has great importance for the Hindu community. Former Indian finance minister Jaswant Singh and many other Indian leaders attended the festival in the past.

Senator Danesh Kumar said in a message that it was a great occasion for the Hindu community of not only Pakistan but also of other countries, including India.

Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims come to Hinglaj to attend this festival, he said.

Mr Kumar said that the government had made arrangements for providing better facilities to the pilgrims.

Hinglaj Mata Welfare and Development Society president Mukhi Vinod Kumar Lasi and its general secretary Versi Mill Kidwani, distinguished member of the minority community Dr Tola Ram Lasi, former councillor Prakash Kumar Lasi and Lal Chand Lasi addressed the participants of the festival on Friday.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2022