Hinglaj Mata

Published on 22nd November, 2020, in Mid-day. We often forget that there are still many Hindu temples in Pakistan, despite the state being avowedly Islamic, with clear blasphemy and anti-idolatry laws. These temples existed before Islam arrived in the subcontinent a 1,000 years ago. These shrines continue to thrive in Punjab, Sindh and Baluchistan, often with Muslim caretakers who follow secular practices that thrived before doctrine of religious exclusivity took shape in the colonial period. One example of such a temple is the temple of the goddess, Hinglaj Mata in Baluchistan. This temple is associated with an old volcano and a valley. All associated with ..