Guwahati, May 15: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday highlighted the spiritual and historical significance of Balochistan for Hindus, emphasising the importance of the Hinglaj Mata Temple one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peethas in Hinduism.

In a post on X, Sarma stated that Balochistan is home to the revered Hinglaj Mata Temple, located in Pakistan’s Hingol National Park. “It is believed to be the site where the head of Goddess Sati fell, making it one of the holiest places in Shaktism,” he wrote.

He noted that for centuries, Hindu pilgrims especially from the Sindhi, Bhavsar, and Charan communities have travelled through harsh desert terrain to offer prayers at the temple. He added that the temple is also respected by the local Baloch population, who refer to it affectionately as “Nani Mandir,” reflecting shared cultural reverence.

Sarma further said that Balochistan represents a long-standing Hindu cultural presence in the region, predating the partition of the Indian subcontinent.

In a related message on April 27, the Chief Minister expressed support for the Baloch people’s movement for self-determination. He referred to the annexation of the princely state of Kalat by Pakistan in 1948, describing it as the beginning of a struggle for autonomy.

Citing decades of political and economic marginalisation, Sarma said the Baloch community has witnessed repeated uprisings in 1958, 1962, 1973, and the early 2000s. He also pointed to the 2006 killing of tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti as a significant moment in the movement.

“The Balochistan movement stands as a symbol of an indigenous people’s enduring aspiration for dignity, rights, and control over their own destiny,” he said.

Shakti Peethas, including the Hinglaj Mata Temple, are revered sites believed to mark the locations where parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell after being severed by Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra.