The short answer
Kankai Mata & Banej Temples: what visitors should know first
Worth it for travellers specifically interested in pilgrimage sites or the forest's deeper interior, but check current access rules first, since both shrines sit inside the sanctuary's core area and visits depend on forest department permissions that can change. It is not a casual add-on to a standard safari.
History and context
The story behind Kankai Mata & Banej Temples
Kankai Mata is worshipped locally as an incarnation of the Adishakti and is particularly associated with Gir's shepherd and pastoral communities. The nearby Banej Mahadev shrine is linked, in local tradition, to the Pandavas' exile in the forest, with a legend that Arjuna struck the ground with an arrow to find water at the spot where the shrine now stands. Both sites lie within the area declared part of the Gir lion sanctuary from 1969 onward.
Useful facts
Kankai Mata & Banej Temples facts at a glance
- Location
- About 50 km inside Gir forest from Sasan Gir
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Kankai Mata (Adishakti) and Banej Mahadev (Shiva)
- Visitor note
- Access restricted; confirm current permissions before visiting
- Built
- Traditional shrines, exact construction dates unrecorded
Why it matters
Why Kankai Mata & Banej Temples is worth your time
These shrines matter less as architectural landmarks than as evidence of how long human communities have lived alongside Gir's lions. The Maldharis, traditional buffalo and cattle herders, have grazed this forest for generations, and their continued presence, and their devotion to Kankai Mata as a protector, is part of why Gir's story is as much about coexistence as about conservation in the strict sense.
The access restrictions around the shrines also illustrate a genuine tension in how Gir is managed: balancing religious practice and traditional livelihoods against a protected area meant to shelter an endangered species. Visiting, where access allows, gives a more complete picture of the sanctuary than the safari alone.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
A rare look at the forest interior
The drive in passes through parts of Gir far from the standard safari zones, used daily by Maldhari herders rather than tourist jeeps.
- 02
Two linked shrines
Kankai Mata and Banej Mahadev sit close enough together to visit on the same trip, each with a distinct local legend.
- 03
Living pastoral tradition
The area remains home to Maldhari families whose grazing and devotional life predate the sanctuary itself.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Kankai Mata and the nearby Banej Mahadev temple sit roughly 50 km inside Gir forest, far deeper than the tourism zones used for a standard jeep safari, in an area that is still home to Maldhari herding families who have grazed cattle here for generations. Kankai Mata, worshipped as an incarnation of the Adishakti and known locally as the benefactor of Gir's shepherds, draws devotees from several communities across the region, while Banej Mahadev is linked by local legend to the Pandavas during their forest exile.
Because both shrines lie inside the sanctuary's restricted core, forest officials have at times limited tourist access to protect the ecology and manage traffic through sensitive lion habitat; a 2017 state decision also allowed night stays at one of the temples for pilgrims, which remains a point of local debate. Practically, this means a visit needs to be arranged in advance, usually through a local guide or your lodge, rather than attempted independently.
For travellers who do make the trip, the reward is less about temple architecture and more about context: a glimpse of the Maldhari pastoral life that has coexisted with Gir's lions for generations, in a part of the forest almost no safari visitor sees.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Confirm current access and permission requirements before planning the trip
- Arrange a local guide or go through your lodge rather than attempting it independently
- Set aside half a day given the distance and forest tracks involved
- Dress respectfully and behave quietly, since this is an active pilgrimage and pastoral community, not a tourist site
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 50 km from Sasan Gir, deep inside the Gir forest interior
- Time needed
- Half a day, including the drive in and out
- Best time
- Cooler months, October to February; access and permissions should be confirmed in advance regardless of season
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Both shrines are reached by vehicle, with only short walks at the site itself, but the distance and restricted access mean the visit involves a long day in a car over forest tracks rather than a quick stop.
- Tickets and access
- Access to this part of the Gir interior is controlled by the forest department and has periodically been restricted to protect the sanctuary's ecology. Confirm current permission requirements and route conditions locally or with your lodge before planning a visit.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kankai Mata & Banej Temples
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Both shrines are reached by vehicle, with only short walks at the site itself, but the distance and restricted access mean the visit involves a long day in a car over forest tracks rather than a quick stop.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can anyone visit Kankai Mata and Banej temples?
Access is controlled by the forest department and has been restricted at times to protect the sanctuary's ecology, so check current rules before planning a visit rather than assuming free entry.
How far inside the forest are these shrines?
Roughly 50 km from Sasan Gir, well beyond the standard safari tourism zones, in the sanctuary's core area.
Who lives in this part of the forest?
Maldhari herding families, who have grazed cattle and buffalo in Gir for generations and maintain a close devotional connection to Kankai Mata.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.