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Tanot Mata (तनोट माता) Mandir History Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

 
 
 

Tanot is a place located at a distance of 120 Km from Jaisalmer and name Tanot is named on goddess Tanot. Praisee is said to be incarnation of Goddess Hinglaz now located in Lasvela Distt of Bluchistan.
 
Bhati Rajput King Tanu Rao made Tanot as their capital. In AC 847 foundation of Goddess Tanot was kept and idol was installed. Temple is revered by generations of Bhati Rajput and people of Jaisalmer and surrounding areas. Later on with the advent of time, Bhati Rajput brought their capital to Jaisalmer but temple remained located at Tanot. 
 
Before 1965 this temple was maintained by personnel of RAC and when BSF was formed, responsibility of maintaining this temple was shifted to BSF. It is a great source of inspiration for troops of BSF as well as of army due to miracle happened during 1965 Indo Pak war. It is said that in the month of Oct 1965 Pak Army had advanced from two flanks i.e. from Kishangarh and Sadewala side to deep inside Indian territory but area in between where this temple is located could not be overrun despite heavy pounding by Arty and fierce fighting. Pak Army fired more than 3000 shells in area around temple but due to divine power, It is said that most of the shell went blind and what so ever exploded could not cause much damage. It is further claimed by inhabitants living in nearby villagers that mother Goddes Tanot appeared in the dreams of some soldiers and assured them for protection if they do not leave the premises of temple. Later on Indian Army repulsed the attack of Pak Army and after three days of heavy fighting Pak Army made a hasty retreat leaving hundred of dead of its soldier. At that crucial time of war two coys of 13 Bn BSF and one Bn of Grenadier was deployed in area of Tanot against one Bde of Pak Army but they fought valiantly and broke the back bone of enemy due to goddess blessings.
 
Since then this temple came into prominence and its popularity spread over other region also . Again in 1971 when Pak Army launched sudden attack in Longewala in the night of 4th Dec, due to inspiration and spritual strength drawn from this temple, only one coy of Punjab regiment alongwith one coy of BSF (14 Bn BSF) repulsed their attack which is a unique operation in the world history of battles. Longewala is called as a graveyard of Pak Tanks where their entire Tank regt was made to bite the dust due to exemplary coverage shown by our troops. In the memory of victory in this historic battle of Longewala a Vijay Memorial has been constructed at the entrance of temple where on 16th Dec every year a celebration is organized with fervour and gaiety to remember the heroic deeds of our soldiers. 
 
Twice in a year i.e. in April and Sept Navrtara is celebrated at Tanot where free lunger is run by BSF as well as free Medical camp. Thousands of devotees from every nook and corner of the country throng the temple to offer their prayer to goddess. In 1989 a Tanot Mata Trust was constituted to look after the offer of temple as well as to see its management. Presently patron of this trust is worthy Shri S.N.Jain, IPS, and IG BSF Raj FTR while Shri. Sandeep Bishnoi, IPS DIG BSF SHQ JMR-I is chairman and Shri Prabhakar Joshi Offg Comdt is secretary. As feeling of public is attached with this temple a great care is taken to provide best amenities to devotees visiting the temple. This is the place where spiritual strength of Seema Prahari and its un-wearing commitment to safeguard the mother land can be seen side by side.
 

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