ISLAMABAD: The historic Hinglaj Mata Temple in Balochistan’s Lasbela district has been officially declared a world tourism site by the provincial government, marking a major step toward promoting religious tourism and cultural heritage in the region.
The announcement was made following a meeting between Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti and Senator Danesh Kumar, where both leaders discussed new initiatives to attract global attention to minority religious landmarks in the province.
The centuries-old Hinglaj Mata Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in Pakistan, drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees from within the country and abroad each year.
Boost to Religious Tourism
The Balochistan government aims to use the designation to elevate the province’s image and highlight its religious and cultural diversity.
Chief Minister Bugti said Balochistan proudly represents a blend of cultures and religions and emphasized the importance of showcasing its spirit of tolerance and inclusion.
He called the temple a symbol of Balochistan’s deep-rooted pluralistic traditions and said its recognition on the global tourism map reflects the province’s rich heritage.
Funding for Development
To support the initiative, the government has allocated special funds for the renovation of the Hinglaj Mata Temple and the development of surrounding infrastructure.
This includes improvements in transport access, lodging facilities for pilgrims, and preservation of the temple’s historic architecture.
Officials said the site’s global recognition is expected to increase religious tourism, foster interfaith harmony, and generate local economic benefits through international and domestic visitation.
