Durga Ashtami puja held at Hinglaj Mata temple during Navratri

QUETTA: Special Durga Ashtami puja was held with religious devotion and reverence at the historic Hinglaj Mata temple in Balochistan on the occasion of Navratri. A large number of Hindu pilgrims from across the country took part. Hundreds of them came on foot.

Special arrangements were made for the pilgrims with the particular cooperation of the Balochistan government. The relevant departments took steps to ensure facilities were provided. The Hindu community and the pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the arrangements and praised the efforts of the Balochistan government and the district administration.

Appointment of focal person

An important feature of this year’s ceremonies was that, for the first time, the Balochistan government appointed Kashish Chaudhry, the province’s first Hindu woman Assistant Commissioner, as focal person. She played an important role in overseeing the arrangements and providing facilities to the pilgrims.

Senator Dinesh Kumar praised the cooperation of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and the provincial government. He said the arrangements made at Hinglaj Mata reflected interfaith harmony, religious tolerance and respect for the religious rights of minorities.

He said that providing facilities to pilgrims visiting religious sites and ensuring respect for their religious rites was important for promoting mutual respect and harmony in society.

The pilgrims also described the steps taken by the Balochistan government, the district administration and the relevant departments as commendable. They said the better arrangements helped them perform their religious rituals in a peaceful and dignified manner.

The holding of the Durga Ashtami ceremonies at Hinglaj Mata highlights the importance of religious tolerance, mutual respect and the protection of the religious rights of communities belonging to different faiths in Balochistan.

Photo: courtesy DGPR Balochistan