Tanot Mataji-Jaisailmer

Jai mataji,to all my friends today I will give you the glimpses of maa Tanotrai,which is located on the Indo-Pak border,in Jaisailmer.There is very Intresting story related to INDO-PAK War,it is said that soilders of Indian Army take shelter in tanot rai temple,and survive themselves.During that war the bombs and missiles bombarded on temple get diffused by the walls of temple,that are still placed in temple courtyard,which we will discuss in history.
History of Tanot Mata Temple:-
Tanot is a place located at a distance of 120 k.m from Jaisalmer and name Tanot is named on the goddess Tanot.Praise 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 reversed by generations of Bhati Rajputs 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 great source of inspiration for troops of BSF as well as of army due to miracle happend 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 over run 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 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 Goddess Tanot appeared in the dreams of the some soldiers and assured them for protection if they do not leave the permises of temple.Later on Indian Army repulsed the Attack of Pak army and after three days of heavy fighting Pak army made a hasty retret leaving hundreds of dead of its soldiers.At that crucial time of war two coys of 13 BN BSF and one Bn of Grenadier was deployed in area of Tanot rai against one Bde of Pak Army but they fought valintly and broke the backbone of enemy due to goddess blessings.

Since then this temple came into prominence and its popularity spread over other regions 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 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 examplary 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 gaity 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 established.

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