Story of Hingraj Mataji (Hinglaj)

Hinglaj Mataji is the goddess of healing and virtue. She is the Kuldevi of the Kshtriya (warrior) caste of Gujarat. Although being a warrior goddess, Hinglaj Mataji is cherished and adored by her devotees, who consider her to be a manifestation of the great goddess Amba. Hinglaj Mataji is worshipped on Tuesdays and Sundays, which are days auspicious to most goddesses.

Her main shrine is located in Pakistan. Hinglaj Mataji is situated in Pakistan on top of the Hingol Mountain. Devotees come from all around the world to this temple of her. 

According to Hindu Mythology and Legend, in the SatYuga, King Daksha (father of Sati) performed a yajna (Yagya) with a desire to take revenge on Lord Shiva (husband of Sati). King Daksha was angry because his daughter Dakshayani also known as Sati had married the 'yogi' Lord Shiva. King Daksha invited all the deities to the yagna except for Lord Shiva and Sati.

Sati desired to attend the Yagna and insisted Lord Shiva. Sati thought that by attending the Yagna uninvited will surprise her father, who will be overwhelmed with joy on seeing her. Lord Shiva tried his best to dissuade her from attending without an invitation. Sati was adamant to attend even without Lord Shiva accompanying her.

Sati, being an uninvited guest, was not given any respect. Furthermore, King Daksha insulted Lord Shiva. Sati was unable to bear her father's insults toward her husband, so Dakshayani (or Sati) invoked her yogic powers and immolated herself.

On hearing the events that took place at the ceremony of Yagna, Lord Shiva became very angry. He plucked one of his matted hair and threw on the ground from which Bhairav (a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva) incarnated. Bhairav was summoned to kill the entire army of King Daksha and to behead him. The entire army of King Daksha including him were defeated by Bhairav.

Lord Shiva arrived at the Yagna and on hearing everyone’s request (demi gods and Lord Brahma), gave life to King Daksha by replacing his head with that of a male goat. He then picked Sati’s corpse and immersed in grief started dancing the dance of destruction. This started causing havoc. Lord Vishnu decided that he (as the protector) had to intercept Lord Shiva. He released his Sudarsan Chakra which pierced through Sati’s corpse into several pieces (52 Shakti Peeth’s) and fell in different regions, one of them being Hingula (or Hinglaj where the mind or brain fell).

People that experience possessions by the goddess Hinglaj are said to sprinkle vermillion (red powder) from their hands. That is believed to be the miracle of Maa Hinglaj. They say that she cures all diseases and relieves the distressed.Hinglaj Mataji, is not very well known of or heard about because of her temple being situated in Pakistan however, she has helped many devotees overcome challenges and follow the path of righteousness. There are many myths of Hinglaj Mataji; however one seems most interesting to her personality.

In a small village is India once lived three brothers. Each of them carried out a different occupation. One was a tailor (Dirji) one was a warrior (Kshtriya) and one was a goldsmith (Soni). They all worshipped Hinglaj maa and asked for her blessings before starting each day. The brothers were happy with their lives and content with their earnings.

However, one night a conversation erupted and they began to fight about who worked the hardest and longest. They began discussing who earned the most money and who the best was. They began to boast that whoever earned the most money was the favourite of the goddess Hinglaj. The Kshtriya did not earn as much as the others and was hence laughed on and humiliated.

He spent the night in the goddess’s temple crying and thinking that the goddess didn’t like him. The following morning Hinglaj maa herself appeared at their doorstep. She had vermillion (Kanku) in her hand and said that whoever I apply this first on will be my most favourite. The Dirji rushed off, to wash his forehead while the goldsmith rushed off to bring a garland of flowers to offer the goddess. The Kshtriya walked to the goddess, and she applied the vermillion on his forehead first. Then the goldsmith arrived, she applied it on his forehead second, and third she applied it on the Dirji.

Hence she was declared Kuldevi of the Kshtriya Samaj, Isth Devi of the Soni Samaj and Kutum Devi of the Vanza Dirji Samaj. Each brother got a blessing from the goddess and each was happy with his blessing.