BIBI NANA, Hinglaj (Chat-i)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A curious, apparently intermittent spring (a karst rising?), which consists of a low castellated mud edifice in a natural cavity (note 1) and represents the centre of the Hindu cult spot and pilgrimage site of Hinglaj, is situated below Hinglaj peak (note 2) in a verdant basin on the banks of Hingol river (Las Bela district). Compare –>Bibi Nani Ghara. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use & folklore: NABEE (1844b: 817-818) observed on 9th September 1839 a peculiar hydrological phenomenon when he noticed a well, the water of which at times rises up with bubbling noise, discoloured like that of a river fresh swollen from the rains, and carrying mud in suspension. The Hindoo pilgrims, when this takes place, throw in suparee [note 3], cloves, cardamoms [Elletaria cardamomum], and cocoanuts [Cocos nucifera]. Should there be a delay in the rising, the pilgrims in the most abject manner call on -Mata- to give them a sight of herself, exhorting each other to reveal their sins and inwardly repent; whe the water rises, they salam with both hands joined and throw in their offerings, which after sometime on a second rise are brought back again, when they are collected and form ingrediments of large cakes, which they bake near the spot. A large number of pilgrims come from Hindusthan.A curious, apparently intermittent spring (a karst rising?), which consists of a low castellated mud edifice in a natural cavity (note 1) and represents the centre of the Hindu cult spot and pilgrimage site of Hinglaj, is situated below Hinglaj peak (note 2) in a verdant basin on the banks of Hingol river (Las Bela district). Compare –>Bibi Nani Ghara. CULTURAL HISTORY - human use & folklore: NABEE (1844b: 817-818) observed on 9th September 1839 a peculiar hydrological phenomenon when he noticed a well, the water of which at times rises up with bubbling noise, discoloured like that of a river fresh swollen from the rains, and carrying mud in suspension. The Hindoo pilgrims, when this takes place, throw in suparee [note 3], cloves, cardamoms [Elletaria cardamomum], and cocoanuts [Cocos nucifera]. Should there be a delay in the rising, the pilgrims in the most abject manner call on -Mata- to give them a sight of herself, exhorting each other to reveal their sins and inwardly repent; whe the water rises, they salam with both hands joined and throw in their offerings, which after sometime on a second rise are brought back again, when they are collected and form ingrediments of large cakes, which they bake near the spot. A large number of pilgrims come from Hindusthan.