PAWS

Mahera Omar · October 11, 2005 4:17 am

One day in the summer of 2005 we decided to take a trip from Karachi to Hinglaj, Balochistan.
And so we packed our munchies and cd collection and off we went.

but first, a quick stop for a cuppa just outside Karachi...

Once on the Makran Coastal highway, we met a donkey-cart wala.

... who whizzed past us at 120mph

Soon we reached the mighty Hingol, the largest river in Balochistan.

... where a tiny dog who had braved the crocodiles was cooling off in the midday sun.

At this point on the highway, you take a sharp right along the river till you enter Hingol National Park.

Hingol National Park, covering an area of about 610,043 ha, is the largest national park in Pakistan.
It is home to a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles.

From here on, however, the only wild animals we came across was a lone cow

... and, after a great deal of squinting into the sun ...

... a bird was spotted, which none of us could identify.

Further along the river is Nani Mandir, a Hindu temple.

A small stream flows in front of it...

... in which there was a frog.

but ''poof''... not for long!

hmm. Wonder where it went.

We trekked a bit further up the small valley...

... before turning back to head towards the highway.

Soon as we hit the highway back to Karachi, a sandstorm hits us.

Barely able to see 50 feet ahead of us, we try searching for the mud volcanoes to our right.
We go off the highway, and with a bit of luck and a lot of sand, find what we went looking for.

Behold the Chandra Gupt!

The 450 feet high mud volcano, one of the biggest in the region, is considered sacred by the Hindu community.

Mud volcanoes are common in the coastal areas of Baluchistan. They gently emit mud, water and a mixture of gases into the air.

And sometimes even desert beetles, such as this beauty found at the base of the volcano.

Muna · October 26, 2005 4:48 pm

Sounds like quite an adventure. Sign up me next time you go.

Paguma Larvata · November 14, 2005 10:48 pm

The bird is an Eqyptian Vulture. Common in Sindh and Baluchistan

Last edited by Paguma Larvata (November 14, 2005 10:49 pm)

Jhelum · July 10, 2007 6:21 pm

Hi there

I kinda got ur post when i was browsing thru google searching for abt mata hinglaj
It started with my mom reading a book abt a bengalji traveller's journey abt 60 yrs ago
and its a book worth reading , it took them 14 days on foot, and that was one hell of a journey
My mom wanted to say thanx for the pics that u hv posted ..she was really glad to see the pictures and i too wanna thank u

Mahera Omar · July 10, 2007 9:42 pm

Thanks for visiting our website. We're glad you enjoyed the photographs. You can find more information about Mata Hinglaj on the 4X4 Offroaders Club Karachi's website here:

http://offroadpakistan.com/places/the_hingol_faq.html

Zygo · July 11, 2007 1:35 pm

Jhelum,
Would it be possible for you to write the name of the book that your mother read.
Thanks.

PAWS

#1 October 11, 2005 4:17 am

Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

#2 October 26, 2005 4:48 pm

Re: Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

#3 November 14, 2005 10:48 pm

Re: Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

#4 July 10, 2007 6:21 pm

Re: Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

#5 July 10, 2007 9:42 pm

Re: Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

#6 July 11, 2007 1:35 pm

Re: Trip to Hinglaj, Balochistan

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