seems to be a meeting place of many threads ancient and modern. I came to know of Hinglaj through Lalita's post which owes a bit to my friend Kalyan's wonderful memory. From the Wikipedia article on Hinglaj: "Despite the partition and the increasing Islamic stance of the Pakistani Government and society, Hinglaj has survived and is in fact revered by local Muslims who call it 'Nani ki Mandir'. Muslims offer red or saffron clothes, incense, candles and a sweet preparation called 'Sirini' to the deity. The Muslims protected sites like Hinglaj which are the last vestiges of the Hindu society which once straddled the area.
Hingula means cinnabar (HgS Mercuric Sulphide). It was used in ancient India to cure snakebite and other poisonings and is still employed in traditional medicine. The Goddess Hingula is thus believed to possess powers which can cure poisoning and other diseases. The Muslim name 'Nani' is an abbreviation of the name of the ancient Goddess "Nanaia", whose Persian name is "Anahita"."
Some articles say that it is possibly a pre-Hindu place of worship. Lalita also links to this informative article on the connections to Bengal through a travelogue, a film and possibly due the presence a number of shaktipeethas in Bengal. Here are some wonderful photographs of a trip from Pakistan Animal Welfare Society and earlier photos from BBC News. Note the last one on bonded labourers.
4 comments:
Interesting and thought provoking. I've read the travelogue and watched the movie. The Anahita-Nani connection is the most ineteresting bit though. Wonder if they have any reference for that.
please somebody tell me who weote the travelouge maru tirth hinglaj and who is the publisher. I will be really thankful if sombody tells me where to get a copy of it I looking for it for last tweenty years.
The travelogue Marutirath Hinglaj is written by a Bangla writer
Avdhoot a "Tantrik Yogi". Hindi translation is done by Niharranjan chowdhary. I don't know the publishers.
Though I have a copy in Sindhi version, translated by my uncle,last year it got published by "Indian Institute of Sindhology."
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