Latest news with #TanotMataTemple
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This temple in Rajasthan stood against thousands of bombs: The untold story of war, faith and Indian Army
'Sandese aate hain, hume tadpate hain', it's not just a song but the emotions of many! These lyrics are the emotions of every member of a family whose sons and daughters are serving their nations, standing on borders and guarding their homelands with their lives. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Parts of the song, from the blockbuster movie 'Border' were extensively shot near the 1971 Battle of Longewala ground, near Jaisalmer which is also home to the revered Tanot Mata Temple. Tanot Mata is not an ordinary temple. This Hindu temple in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, is located near the border with Pakistan. It is where the Longewala war happened during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 where India came out victorious. Live bombs from the war, the story The temple is unique in many senses as it houses live bombs from the war. During the Indo-Pak war in 1965, the temple was attacked by over 3,000 bombs. But as per local lore, these bombs some missed their target and some did not explode. Soon after, India's Border Security Force (BSF) took charge of the maintenance of the temple and nearby region. Later, in 1971, Tanot was again attacked during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Battle of Longewala). The border was attacked by tanks but they could not get in and went down in the sand. After winning the war, a Vijay Stambha or a Victory tower was built inside the temple. The bombs that did not explode were placed inside the temple. These heavy looking bombs are now put on display on shelves inside the temple covered by glass doors. The tanks are placed close to the temple near the border. There's also a cute cafe called 'Border' cafe and a theater room where only 'Border' (the movie) plays. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Soldiers praying ground This is an important temple for soldiers who regularly pray here. They have immense faith in the deity and believe that the goddess protects them from any harm. It is quite an emotional scene looking at these strong soldiers breaking down in front of the goddess's statue to seek her blessings. Who was Tanot Mata As per history books, the temple was built by the Bhati Rajput King Tanu Rao in 828 AD. And since then, the temple became popular among people of Jaisalmer. As per the Charan records, the deity here is the incarnation of Hinglaj Mata and who later reincarnated as the Karni Mata. Legend has it that a man named Mamadji Charan has no kids. He decided to visit Hinglaj Mata on foot seven times to get a child. Then Hinglaj Mata asked him whether he wanted a son or a daughter, the man asked the goddess herself to take birth at his house in the form of their own kid. Soon after, the man was blessed with seven daughters and one son and one among them was Aavad Mata, also known as Tanot Mata. Victory Memorial and the war museum There is a Victory Memorial and a war museum housing the unexploded Pakistani bombs and tanks. On 16th December every year, the victory of India is celebrated at the temple. Today, the temple along with the war memorial museum are a part of Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan initiative of the Indian Military. It was done to boost border tourism. How to reach By Train : Tanot Mata temple is only 120 km from Jaisalmer city. The Jaisalmer Railway station is the nearest to the temple. Visitors can hire local cabs or taxis to reach here. It takes around two hours to reach. By Air : The closest airport to Tanot Mata is in Jodhpur. From here, you can book cab rentals that take some four hours to reach the city. Best time to visit The best time to explore this temple is between November and January. The weather remains rosy and pleasant during this time. Because the temperature is comfortable, it is easier to explore the temple and nearby regions. So next time you plan a trip to Jaisalmer, make sure you visit Tanot Mata temple.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Tanot Mata temple, Jaisalmer Fort museum reopen as border tensions ease
Jaisalmer: The historic Tanot Mata Temple , a 1,200-year-old sacred site near the India-Pakistan border in Jaisalmer, is set to reopen for visitors Friday as border tensions subside. Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum inside the Sonar Fort has also recommenced operations. Security forces continue their search operations as remnants of drones and missiles from recent cross-border incidents are being discovered in various locations. BSF Sector North's DIG Yogendra Singh Rathore said while the ancient temple was temporarily closed for safety, BSF priests continued daily worship and aarti. The temple will now welcome public in these rituals from Friday. Jaisalmer Fort Palace Museum, meanwhile, reopened Thursday, Shri Girdhar Memorial Charitable Trust director Devendra Pratap Singh said, following security assessments and normalisation of conditions. Officials said Pakistani missile and drone remnants are still being found in Rajasthan's border areas. A missile-like object was found near Karalia Bera village in Balotra district's Gida area, while a cap-like component was found near Chousira Patial village's Patodi outpost. Village authorities acted swiftly upon receiving reports of suspicious items. Gida station officer Vishal Kumar and Patodi Outpost head constable Dungararam secured the locations and liaised with Uttarlai Air Force personnel for collection. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ótimas notícias para os cidadãos brasileiros! Leia mais Undo On Thursday, additional drone debris was found on forest department land in Anupgarh's village 12A, Sriganganagar district, along with damaged drone cameras. Police, BSF officers, and security agencies began investigations after villagers reported the findings. Jodhpur police range inspector general Vikas Kumar confirmed that defence systems successfully intercepted incoming projectiles during the recent tensions, with debris landing in unpopulated areas without causing harm. Farmers are now discovering these remains whilst working their fields. He added that combined military-police searches continue in border areas, with residents advised against handling debris or sharing related social media content for safety reasons.
