Nestled in the vast Thar Desert near the India-Pakistan border, the Tanot Mata Temple is an iconic spiritual site near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Dedicated to Goddess Tanot, an incarnation of Hinglaj Mata, this temple is renowned not only for its religious significance but also for the remarkable history linked to it, which echoes tales of unwavering faith and patriotism.
Tanot Mata is highly revered by the locals and especially the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed nearby. The temple gained national attention during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when the Pakistani army bombarded the area with a heavy assault, targeting strategic locations around the temple. Miraculously, the bombs that fell near Tanot Mata’s shrine did not explode, saving the lives of countless soldiers and civilians in the area. This extraordinary occurrence cemented the temple’s reputation as a place of divine intervention and protective power.
After the 1965 war, the temple came under the maintenance of the BSF, who continue to care for it to this day. A small museum adjacent to the temple houses unexploded shells and bombs from the war, preserved as a testament to the divine safeguarding of the temple and the valor of India’s soldiers. Every year, on the occasion of Diwali, a special prayer ceremony is held here, drawing pilgrims from across the country.
The temple is accessible via road from Jaisalmer, with the journey itself offering stunning desert vistas and an aura of tranquility. A visit to Tanot Mata Temple is a deeply humbling experience, blending spirituality with history, and it stands as a tribute to faith, courage, and resilience. For those visiting Jaisalmer, a trip to this remarkable site is not just a religious journey but a chance to witness a profound connection between faith and national pride.
Tanot Mata is highly revered by the locals and especially the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stationed nearby. The temple gained national attention during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, when the Pakistani army bombarded the area with a heavy assault, targeting strategic locations around the temple. Miraculously, the bombs that fell near Tanot Mata’s shrine did not explode, saving the lives of countless soldiers and civilians in the area. This extraordinary occurrence cemented the temple’s reputation as a place of divine intervention and protective power.
After the 1965 war, the temple came under the maintenance of the BSF, who continue to care for it to this day. A small museum adjacent to the temple houses unexploded shells and bombs from the war, preserved as a testament to the divine safeguarding of the temple and the valor of India’s soldiers. Every year, on the occasion of Diwali, a special prayer ceremony is held here, drawing pilgrims from across the country.
The temple is accessible via road from Jaisalmer, with the journey itself offering stunning desert vistas and an aura of tranquility. A visit to Tanot Mata Temple is a deeply humbling experience, blending spirituality with history, and it stands as a tribute to faith, courage, and resilience. For those visiting Jaisalmer, a trip to this remarkable site is not just a religious journey but a chance to witness a profound connection between faith and national pride.