BABA CHANDRAGUP MUD VOLCANO

• Chandragup is an active mud volcano located in Hingol National Park in Balochistan, Pakistan.

• Also known as Chandrakup, the volcano is considered holy by Hindus and is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to the shrine of Shri Hinglaj Mata temple.

• The Chandragup mud volcano is worshipped as an embodiment of the Hindu god Shiva, and called Baba Chandragup.

• Pilgrims to the volcano believe that the Shri Hinglaj Mata temple may only be entered only after paying homage to Baba Chandrakup

• Traditionally, the pilgrim stays awake all night, fasting and meditating on the sins they will confess at the rim the following day. They bake rotis made out of ingredients contributed by all the yātrīs (travellers / pilgrims).

• On the next day they ascend the slope of Chandrakup, and the roṭi is served as an offering to Baba Chandrakup. Nowadays, coconuts, betel nut and dal are also offered.

• At the volcano's peak, the pilgrims must introduce themselves with their full name and place of origin and then call out their sins in front of the group. According to the bubbling of the mud and the reaction of the wind, the chaṛīdār is able to tell if the pilgrim's sins are forgiven.

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