Tanot Mata Temple

This temple of Tanot Mata, worshipped locally as a form of the goddess Durga, stands in the desert about 120 km from Jaisalmer, close to the border with Pakistan. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, it is linked with many stories of the goddess guarding her followers, and it became a focus of faith for Indian troops posted in the area.

According to the temple's best-known story, some 3,000 bombs dropped near the shrine during the 1965 war failed to explode, and many believe the temple was also spared in 1971. Those shells are shown in the temple museum. Worshippers ring bells, burn incense and offer flowers, sweets and coconuts, and Navratri brings lamps, decorations and hymn singing. The Longewala War Memorial is about 40 km away, and the border lies roughly 20 km on, visitable with official permission.