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Kalka Devi Mandir, Sukkur

Kalka Devi’s Mandir is situated inside a mountain cave where the goddess is believed to have made an appearance during her Hinglaj yatra. It is located about one mile south from the capital city of Arror/Arore. In Shasthi language, Kalka means power. Legend goes that a devoutly religious woman, named Kalka, used to live in these caves and the hills were called Kalka hills during Roe Dynasty. The majority of Hindu devotees pay homage to Kalka Devi on the night of first Monday of every month.

Many rooms have been built around the original temple in the cave, some for praying and others for accommodating visitors who flock in thousands at the time of Hindu festivals. From one of the room is the entrance to the cave which is hardly five to six feet high. The smell and the smoke of agarbatis (incense), created a mystic aura around the area. The priest sits on a stone platform next to the idol of Kalka Devi with a dagger in one hand and a chopped head in the other. Further moving on enter the Samdhi. Sit and chat with the the priest over a cup of tea.

The temple is believed to have two tunnels that connect it to the temple in Hinglaj, Balochistan. The hills surrounding the area are now at the mercy of construction companies who crush the stones to make money. According to the caretaker of the temple, 60% of people who visit this temple are Muslims or belong to other religions, apart from Hinduism. [source]