The Real Story Behind Tanot Mata Temple Seen In Sunny Deol’s 'Border'

Standing barely a few kilometres from the India–Pakistan border in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, Tanot Mata Temple is not just a place of worship. It is a rare intersection of faith, warfare, and living history. Known as the last civilian temple before the border fencing begins, it occupies land that has witnessed artillery fire, tank movement, and two full-scale wars. Yet, the temple remains intact, calm, and deeply revered.

The temple is situated in the Thar Desert, almost 120 kilometres from Jaisalmer city. Beyond this point, civilian life fades into patrol routes, army tents, watchtowers, and silence. This strategic positioning makes the temple vulnerable during wars, placing it directly within the firing range. Any structure here should logically have been destroyed long ago, which is precisely why Tanot Mata’s survival continues to intrigue soldiers, historians, and travellers alike.

Tanot Mata is worshipped as an incarnation of Hinglaj Mata, a powerful form of the Shakti tradition. For the Charan community, Tanot Mata is the kuldevi, the spiritual anchor, and the family protector. According to the historical records, the temple’s foundation was laid in 828 AD, when Bhati Rajput king Tanu Rao installed the idol.

Local legends speak of Mamadji Charan, a devotee who prayed to Hinglaj Mata for a child and was blessed with daughters, one of whom was believed to be Aavad Mata, later worshipped as Tanot Mata.

The association began during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. As hostilities escalated, the region became a strategic military post. As per several reports, the Pakistani forces fired over 3,000 artillery shells towards the area, many of which landed around the temple complex. Soldiers and villagers braced for destruction. What followed defied every expectation.

The shells that fell around the temple did not explode. Not a single one caused structural damage. For soldiers of the Border Security Force stationed nearby, this was not merely good fortune. Many spoke of an overwhelming sense of protection. Morale rose at a time when fear was constant. The shells that did not explode were later recovered and were kept in the temple museum, offering silent testimony to a moment that logic still struggles to explain.

History repeated itself during the Battle of Longewala in 1971. Pakistani armoured columns advanced through the desert towards Indian positions near Tanot. Tanks became immobilised in the sand, helping in delaying the attack. This crucial delay allowed Indian forces and the Indian Air Force to launch a decisive counteroffensive, resulting in one of India’s most iconic military victories.

Once again, despite intense shelling and troop movement, the temple emerged untouched. A Vijay Stambha was later built within the complex to honour the soldiers who fought there and to mark the historic victory.

For many Indians, Tanot Mata Temple became widely known after the release of Border in 1997. Directed by J P Dutta, the film starred Sunny Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Tabu, and Pooja Bhatt. While the film focused on the Battle of Longewala during the 1971 India–Pakistan war, it brought national attention to the desert region where Tanot Mata Temple stands.

Several scenes from Border, including the iconic song Sandese Aate Hain, were shot near the Longewala battlefield close to the temple. Although the film does not centre on Tanot Mata itself, the geography, emotions, and wartime setting closely mirror the real landscape around the shrine. Over time, audiences began associating the temple with the courage and sacrifice depicted in the film.

It is important to note that Border is a cinematic interpretation, while Tanot Mata Temple’s survival during the wars of 1965 and 1971 is part of recorded military and local history. The film helped transform a little-known frontier shrine into a place of national remembrance, connecting popular culture with lived history on India’s western border.

In recognition of its unique spiritual and historical significance, the Border Security Force assumed responsibility for the temple. Uniformed soldiers perform daily aarti, maintain the premises, and guard both the shrine and the surrounding region. Here, military discipline and devotion exist side by side. For many soldiers, a visit to Tanot Mata is less about miracles and more about mental strength before long patrols and dangerous nights.

Visitors can explore a small war museum displaying unexploded bombs and artillery shells from the 1965 and 1971 wars. These are not replicas. They are real, recovered from the desert. Tanks used during the Longewala battle stand nearby. Every year on 16 December, Victory Day is commemorated here, reinforcing the temple’s role as both a spiritual centre and a war memorial. The temple is also part of India’s border tourism initiatives. It allows civilians a rare glimpse into life at the frontier.

The temple also reflects the courage of Indian soldiers and the human need for belief during chaos. Shaukat Ali, a Pakistani brigadier, is believed to have offered a silver canopy to the temple, acknowledging its significance beyond borders.

Scientific explanations suggest faulty fuses, soft desert sand, or impact angles could have prevented explosions. Individually, these are plausible. Collectively, across hundreds of shells and two separate wars, probability becomes harder to accept. Science may offer theories, but it cannot fully dismiss the pattern. Faith, meanwhile, does not seek proof. It rests on lived experience.

You can plan your visit in between November and January—this is when desert temperatures are pleasant. Jaisalmer railway station is the nearest major railhead, around two hours away by road. The closest airport is Jodhpur, from where a four-hour drive leads to the temple.