Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer

 Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer

The Tanot Mata Temple in Tanot village in Jaisalmer district is one of the major attractions for visitors to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan. The temple is surrounded by numerous legends that are sure to instil awe and curiosity in you towards its sacred power and purity. The historic site has been preserved and maintained by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. It is believed to be an apparition of Goddess Hinglaj Mata.

The Indian Army has its share of stories about Tanot Mahal. The local deity Tanot alias Awad Mata helped the Indian soldiers who were on the verge of annihilation. Despite the bombardment of 3000 bombs from the Pakistan border, not a single one exploded near the temple. The unexploded bombs are kept to this day in the Tanot Museum in the temple compound. After the war, the temple was handed over to the Indian Border Security Force, which continues to manage the temple. The Indian Army built a Vijay Sthamba on the temple grounds and every year on 16 December a ceremony is held to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan

There are places that have so much elegance but are rarely visited because of their location. The Tanot Mata temple is one such hidden gem, located in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, very close to India's border with Pakistan. It is famous for its portrayal in the popular Bollywood film Border, based on the 1971 India-Pakistan war. The temple remained upright despite heavy bombardment around it, which is an indication of its spiritual ethos and powers. This temple has an aura that makes people feel the presence of a sacred deity who has protected Tanot till date.

This temple is closely associated with the Longewala War of 1965, when the Pakistan Army dropped about 3000 bombs on the temple, but none of them exploded. The Pakistani army was stunned and after the war, the Pakistani general actually enquired about the incident and when he came to know about the power of the temple which was apparently protecting the area, he requested to see the place. This request was granted and the Pakistani general actually went to the temple, paid his respects and acknowledged the supernatural event. After the war, the administration of the temple was handed over to the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at their request. 

The best time to visit the Tanot Mata temple is from November to January because of the pleasant weather.