Key Points
- Devotees travel up to 20 days on foot from Sindh districts
- Tight security ensures a peaceful pilgrimage
- Free medical camps provide treatment and medicines
- Round-the-clock food and water services arranged for pilgrims
- Officials say the event counters negative perceptions about minority rights
QUETTA, Pakistan: The annual three-day festival at the revered Hinglaj Mata Temple concluded on Sunday, drawing an estimated 300,000 Hindu pilgrims and reinforcing its status as a powerful symbol of religious harmony and coexistence in Pakistan.
Held amid the rugged mountainous terrain of Balochistan, the southwest province of Pakistan, the festival commenced on April 17 and once again highlighted the deep spiritual significance of the shrine, widely regarded as one of the holiest sites in Hinduism.
Officials noted that the scale of participation this year – significantly higher than previous years — sent a strong message of unity and tolerance.
The gathering is considered the third-largest Hindu religious congregation after major festivals in India and Nepal. Authorities estimate that nearly one million devotees visit the shrine annually, underlining its enduring importance in the region’s religious landscape.
Thousands of pilgrims undertook arduous journeys on foot from various districts of Sindh, including Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Sanghar.
For many, the journey lasted up to 20 days, reflecting profound devotion and commitment. Participants described the pilgrimage not only as a religious obligation but also as a demonstration of communal harmony and peaceful coexistence.
Extensive arrangements were made by the Balochistan government, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), and the local district administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the event.
The PDMA distributed ration bags and essential supplies among pilgrims, while Deputy Commissioner Lasbela Humaira Baloch and Senior Superintendent of Police Najeebullah Pandrani supervised administrative and security operations on the ground.
A comprehensive security plan was implemented, with personnel from the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Police, and Levies deployed across the area to safeguard participants. Officials described the arrangements as “foolproof”, ensuring that devotees could perform rituals without fear or disruption.
In addition to security measures, several humanitarian initiatives were introduced. The Pakistan Coast Guards, the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), and the Lasbela Health Department established free medical camps, where teams of specialists and female doctors provided consultations and medicines to hundreds of pilgrims.
The Shri Hinglaj Mata Welfare Mandli played a central role in facilitating the event, organising a continuous “bhandara” (community kitchen) that provided food, water, sherbet, and tea around the clock.
Volunteers worked tirelessly alongside Mandli officials, including President Mukhi Vinod Kumar Lasi, General Secretary Veersi Mal Kediwani and spokesperson Parkash Kumar Lasi, to cater to the needs of attendees.
The festival also attracted several political and social figures, who participated in rituals and expressed support for interfaith harmony.
Among them were Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader and former Balochistan Member of Provincial Assembly Mukhi Sham Lal Lasi, Sindh Governor’s Coordinator Vishal Palyani, and MPA Sanjay Kumar.
Speaking to the media, Senator Daanesh Kumar described the shrine as one of Hinduism’s most sacred sites and said the significant increase in pilgrims compared to last year reflected growing confidence among minority communities.
“The presence of three times more pilgrims than last year demonstrates interfaith harmony and shows that Pakistan is a safe country for minorities,” he said, adding that devotees were able to perform their rituals peacefully despite the challenging terrain.
He further remarked that the successful organisation of the festival effectively counters negative narratives about minority rights in Pakistan.
“The Hinglaj Mata Mandir festival sends a clear message to the world that Pakistan respects and protects minority rights and actively promotes religious harmony,” he stated.
The senator also commended the efforts of the local administration, volunteers and the temple management committee for ensuring well-coordinated and efficient arrangements throughout the event.
As the festival concluded, participants and organisers alike expressed hope that the spirit of unity witnessed during the gathering would continue to strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the country’s development and prosperity.
