Tanot Mata Temple in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, holds deep historical and spiritual significance. Located near the Indo-Pak border, the temple is revered for its protection during the 1965 India-Pakistan war. The shrine stands as a symbol of faith and resilience, attracting devotees and visitors with its sacred aura and captivating tales.
Nestled in the quaint village of Tanot in Jaisalmer, Tanot Mata temple is a blend of legends, miracles, and religion. This temple is bound with the faith and utmost devotion of local people.
According to the oldest Charan literature, this revered temple is an incarnation of Goddess Hinglaj Mata. This heritage site is a major attraction for tourists who visit the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. Visit Tanot Mata Temple on your Jaisalmer package for divine blessings.
This miraculous temple is located close to Longewala, the battle site of the intense Indo-Pak War of 1965 and 1971. The Jawans present near the temple have a lot of incredible stories to share with the visitors. This is perhaps the best way to learn about one of the many legends of the temple.
The BSF has also established a museum near the temple that tells the glory of this temple associated with the Indian Army.
Another reason to visit this old temple is the incredulous road which connects it with Jaisalmer. According to the visitors, the route is brimming with the vistas brimming with beautiful landscapes.
You will witness beautiful landscapes that are dotted with yellow sand dunes, camels, goats, camps, and local people in colorful Rajasthani clothes, dhabas serving delectable food, and spectacular wind mills.
Once you reach the temple, you will be mesmerized with the divinity and purity of the temple. There is a unique aura surrounding its premises, which often turns the non-believer of the divine power into a devotee.
There have been a lot of anecdotes where people visited this place as tourists but the uniqueness of this temple left them mesmerized. There have been many instances of divine intervention in and around this temple as well. No wonder many people re-visit this temple quite often.
This highly revered temple was established in 847 AD. The idol of the deity was installed in the same time period as well. The construction of this temple started after Bhati Rajput King Tanu Rao made Tanot as the capital of his kingdom.
Later, it was maintained by RAC before BSF took over the temple’s responsibility, in 1965. There are a lot of unique stories related to this temple. However, the most talked-about legend of the temple is the occurring of a miraculous event during the Indo-Pak Wars of 1965.
According to this anecdote, Pakistan dropped more than 3,000 bombs on the temple to destroy it, along with the Indian Army. While the Pakistani Army was at it, none of the 3,000 bombs could touch the temple or the Indian soldiers!
The same happened in the War of 1971 when only one coy of BSF repulsed the sudden attack from Pakistan Army.
The best way to reach Tanot Mata Temple from Jaisalmer is via road. It takes about 2 hours to reach the temple from Jaisalmer. There are numerous taxis available from the city to the temple. The route to the temple is quite spectacular as well.
From yellow sand dunes of the Thar Desert to blue vistas of the sky, your trip to the Tanot Mata Temple will be quite memorable.
Even though hiring a taxi is the safest and quickest way to reach Tanot Mata Temple, a few people also hire a bike to cover the distance.
The road connecting the two places is embellished with windmills and flock of animals, such as camels and deer, truly turning your trip into an adventure!
The best time to visit Tanot Mata Temple is between November and April. During these months, the weather is pleasant and the temperature is not likely to be high. The months of May and June should be especially avoided since the scorching heat of Rajasthan can make you very uncomfortable and might get you sick.
Also, during the months of April and September, the Navratri festival is celebrated in Tanot, where free lunger is served by BSF. The temple is decorated with beautiful flowers, which make it look glorious. The temple is flooded by devotees from all parts of India during Navratri.
Location: Tanot Road, Near India- Pakistan Border, Tanot, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, 345022, India
Price: There is no entry fee to visit the temple.
Timing: 5 AM – 8 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Please note: The Tanot Mata Temple Arti is scheduled between 6 PM and 7 PM in the evening (unless otherwise announced).
Some of the top places to eat near Tanot Mata Temple are-
Jaisalmer Kitchen: It is an all-day dining restaurant and one of the must-visit culinary places to visit near Tanot Mata Temple.
Located inside the luxurious Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa, this stunning restaurant offers all kinds of cuisines, including, Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Thai, amongst many others.
The Trio: This spectacular food place is located quite close to the beautiful Jaisalmer Fort. Enjoy the stunning views of the ‘Golden Fort’ as you enjoy the fresh and scrumptious food served to you in royalty and surrounded by a mesmerizing décor.
When you visit this place, do not forget to order the epic classic laal maas aka mutton curry. Enjoy it with a glass of wine or beer.
The Mithai Company: Chaat Centre: It is a quaint little café located inside the splendorous Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa.
Known for its varied flavours of tea and coffee, tasty cookies, and delicious snacks, this place should definitely be your stopover on your trip to Tanot Mata Temple.
This cozy café is one of the most stunning restaurants in Jaisalmer and welcomes people of all ages to unwind before or after an adventurous day!
Desert Boy’s Dhani: This restaurant gives off the royal Rajasthani vibes. A gorgeous stone-paved place opens up at this vibrant garden, which accentuates the beauty of this restaurant.
The place is known for its humongous Rajasthani Thali and other Indian dishes on the menu. You can also watch the special Rajasthani dance and music performance. The performances are usually from 8 PM to 10 PM every night.
The Traveler’s Cup Premium Coffeeshop: One of the best places to have coffee in Jaisalmer, this place should be on your list during your visit to the temple. It has a vibrant décor, great food menu, and quirky ambience. A mini-library adds to the tremendous charm of this unique food place.
There are a few tips that would help you cherish your visit to this great temple.
1. Leave your footwear outside the temple premises: Like any other temple, it is advised to submit your shoes, chappals, sandals, etc, before entering the temple.
2. A special permission from BSF is required to visit the Longewala Border: Getting to the border is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; so, if you somehow get the permission, then do not miss this chance.
3. Do not disrespect the temple: Make sure that you do not pass any comments on the divinity of this temple, in any way since it is highly revered and local people worship the deity with devotion and respect.
4. Try the delicious dhaba food on your way to the temple from Jaisalmer: The road connecting Jaisalmer and the temple has some incredible dhabas
Some interesting facts about Tanot Mata Temple are-
1. Divine protector of the Indian Army in 1965: In the Indo-Pak War of 1965 and 1971, Pakistan dropped around 3,000 shelling on the temple for two long days, but none of them could even touch it giving an impression of divine intervention.
2. Goddess saved Indian soldiers in the 1971 War as well: When Pakistan launched a sudden attack in Longewala, but only 120 Indian men took their entire Army down, the credit of which is given to the Goddess of the temple.
3. For this reason, a Vijay Memorial has been constructed at the Temple’s entrance on 16th of December every year.
4. BSF has constructed an interesting Museum near the temple: To exhibit the shelling which Pakistan dropped on the temple, BSF has kept the unexploded bomb shot in this museum.
5. A short conversation with the Army members will enlighten you more on the story of the war.