A TEMPLE VISIT IN PAKISTAN BORDER

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I realized the power and benevolence of Tanot Mata a little late. “All the way for a temple”, was my remark when sightseeing plans were in talk to the temple at around 120 km from Jaisalmer. Leaving at 6 am the next day we went through the state highway that had barren land distributed with mounds of sand called sand dunes and stray cattle that had good mix of camels. Military vehicles were more as also men in commando dress may be going for their routine training to some obscure place that is ideal for them.

                                               THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO THE TEMPLE

Giant wheel like windmills were aplenty en route but far away from the main road, but very close to the road were pipelines of gas or oil that served far off villages. It was surprising to get net facility on the way which appeared much more remote than the village of Tanot that at least had shops, people, temple, hotels etc apart from the army. Electricity too appeared to be available in most parts most of the time. All government departments meant for public service like Power, irrigation, Public works department, agriculture was in company with border road organization and their activities were visible all along though the entire stretch appeared to be Godforsaken.

DEITY OF TANOT MATA



 Though the village of Tanot had significance due to army presence, the feeling that conquered our hearts as we neared the place was one of reverence added with a sense of awe and amazement as the guide described recalling the war of 1965 and 1971 with Pakistan where laborious pains taken by the enemy came a cropper as the dropped bombs meant to explode and detonate chose to fuse and go dumb in veneration to divinity. The number of bombs in the precincts of the temple alone were said to be around 400.

THE UN EXPLODED SHELLS
THE SHIV LING IN THE TEMPLE

 No wonder Tanot Mata temple is revered and the veneration more manifested after the Ind-Pak war of 1965 and 1971.  It has been the army that is maintaining the temple and they chose to preserve and exhibit some of the un-exploded bombs after diffusing.  The tourists rushed to view the exhibited bombs after having darshan of the Mata. Very close to the temple they were preserved in a shelf along with brief newspaper cuttings of war time news. Surprisingly photography was allowed inside the temple and people singing praise of the Mata also thanking the army went left right and center clicking their cell phones.

Being from Chennai where visibility of army personnel on duty is rare, it was a unique feel to be in their midst though they went about their routine chore of duties. It gave exceptional sense of satisfaction to have darshan of the powerful Mata, walk around the place and view the un-exploded shells and also be among the men in uniform whose clan helps us live with a sense of peace in faraway places from the border. Everyone was tempted to ask the soldiers to pose with us for memorabilia albeit in doubt about their service rules. The soldiers pleasant otherwise politely declined when asked.

Beyond that temple civilians are not allowed to travel, as Pakistan border is only 20 Kms away and one needs special permission to venture further.  Yet all of us returned with a feeling as if we have once again defeated Pakistan in the war as also in a world cup cricket match.

 
THE VICTORY PILLAR
           
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