Hingol: a Hindu pilgrimage in Balochistan province of Pakistan

Located along the banks of Hingol river, in Hinglaj town in Balochistan province of Pakistan, is Hinglaj Mata Mandir. Also, called Nani mandir or Hinglaj Devi or Hingula Devi, this Hindu temple is considered a Shakti Peetha of goddess Sati. Hinglaj town comes under Lasbela district of Pakistan.

In the searing heat of Balochistan, Sunil Kumar climbs up the Chandergup volcano barefoot. Sweating profusely and out of breath, he treads slowly, his ascent interjected by chants of 'Jai Mata Di'. Sunil is among the hundreds of pilgrims making their way up to the summit of the 300-foot-high mud volcano of Hingol. Once on the…