Hingol National Park

Hingol National Park has distinctive Rock Formations

Hingol National Park is a National Park located in the Balochistan province of Pakistan, and is distinguished by its distinctive and dramatic rocky topography. It is situated on the Makran Coastal Highway that links Karachi to Gwadar, and covers an area of 6,190 km² (619,043 hectares), making it the second largest national park in Pakistan. Three districts of Balochistan namely Lasbela, Gwadar, and Awaran comprise the park’s territory.  The park is located at 65.51E and 25.72N, with an elevation that ranges from 100 to 1,600 meters.The National Park is inscribed on the Tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site from Pakistan, and remains a protected area in Pakistan since 1988. Hingol National Park is a favorite destination for tourists and especially photographers due to its diverse geology and unique scenery along the section of the Makran Coastal Highway that passes through the park.

The park has a diverse geography and it comprises of various mountainous formations, mud volcanoes, and a coastal region. Importantly, the park is named after the Hingol River, which passes through the park's center and forms an estuary as it enters the Arabian Sea. According to Geologists, the Makran coastal strip and the adjacent mountain cliffs of the Hingol National Park were sculpted into fascinating forms by tidal waves and powerful winds, an erosion process taking thousands of years which has shaped the distinctive and dramatic landscapes of the park. At first the fascinating forms appear to be almost man made and hence resemble an archaeological complex.

Rock Formations at Hingol National Park, Balochistan

Rock Formations

Sphinx of Balochistan, a famous rock formation 

The rock formations in Hingol National Park evoke the appearance of an extraterrestrial landscape and are the park’s most fascinating features. Numerous striking rock formations have been recognized and named as well. Among these formations, the Princess of Hope stands out, resembling a woman, and has become an iconic symbol of the park. This was named by the actress Angelina Jolie on her visit to the park in 2002. Another notable formation is the Balochistan Sphinx, which remarkably resembles the Great Sphinx of Giza. Both of these rock formations are visible from the Makran Coastal Highway near the area known as Buzi top.

Hinglaj Mata Mandir

An ancient Hindu temple, Hinglaj Mata Mandir, is situated in the Hingol National Park and is one of the most important Hindu sites in the country. The Hinglaj Mata Mandir is one of the three Shakti Peethas in Pakistan, the other two being Sharada Peeth in Azad Kashmir and Shivaharkaray in Sindh, and belong to the ancient tradition of Shaktism. These Shakti Peethas are sacred spiritual sites where the consecrated ashes of the goddess Shakti or Sati, a principal deity in Hinduism, are venerated, and hence hold great importance in this tradition. The Hinglaj Mata Mandir is associated with the Charani tradition of Hinduism and it is said that is thousands of years old. According to mythology and Hindu belief.,the location of Hinglaj Mata is considered sacred because the head of the deity Sati fell there when her body was dismembered by Vishnu. The temple is located near the Hingol River in a natural cavern on a stream that flows into the Hingol River. The actual temple is situated inside a mountain cave.

The Hinglaj Yatra is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimages in Pakistan, with over 250,000 Hindus participating in the season of Spring. The religious gathering is known as "Hinglaj Mata Teerath Yatra and Shri Hinglaj Seva Mandli"  and thousands of Hindus visit and perform various rituals. The shrine's rituals are intricately linked to the surrounding environment. Pilgrims usually walk in the pilgrimage crossing the Hingol National Park stopping at various locations for religious observance and performing various rituals.They also conduct ritual bathing in the river. Visit to the Mud Volacnoes including the Chandragup is also an important ritual during the pilgrimage.Other Hindu festivals are also held annually at the Tempe. The Navratri festival is particularly noteworthy among these, as it attracts hundreds of Hindus from Sindh and throughout Pakistan.