Home › Gir Somnath › Kankai Mata Temple
TEMPLE · SHAKTI · IN GIRKankai Mata Temple
A revered goddess shrine set deep within the Gir lion sanctuary — a rare temple where pilgrimage and pure wilderness meet, ringed by forest and big cats.
A goddess in the lions' realm
Deep in the heart of the Gir forest — the realm of the Asiatic lion — stands the temple of Kankai Mata, a revered shrine to the Mother Goddess. Reaching it is an adventure in itself: the road runs right through the lion sanctuary, and pilgrims share the forest with deer, antelope and, sometimes, the great cats themselves.
The temple, ancient and simple, sits in a forest clearing wrapped entirely by wilderness, and has long been served by the Maldhari herders and sadhus who live within Gir. A small annual fair draws devotees who travel through the forest to seek the goddess’s blessings.
The blend is utterly unique — a living goddess temple in the middle of a national park, where the sacred and the wild are inseparable. (The image shown here is an illustrated emblem.)
Illustration — a shrine deep in Gir.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Illustration — a forest goddess temple.
A goddess shrine is venerated deep within the Gir forest.
Forest-dwelling herders and sadhus serve the temple.
Gir's creation as a sanctuary leaves the shrine within it.
A unique pilgrimage reached through the lion forest.
Reasons to make the time
Goddess in Gir
A temple deep in the forest.
Lions en route
The road runs through Gir.
Pure wilderness
A shrine in a clearing.
Maldhari heritage
Forest herders' devotion.
Annual fair
Devotees cross the forest.
Sacred & wild
A truly unique blend.
What to look for inside
Kankai Mata
The forest goddess temple.
Wild Gir
Wilderness all around.
How to spend an hour or two
Arrange access
Permits are needed to enter Gir.
Travel the forest
The road passes through the sanctuary.
Take darshan
Seek Kankai Mata's blessings.
Watch for wildlife
Deer, antelope and lions en route.
Meet the Maldhari
The forest herder community.
Respect the wild
Keep quiet; do not disturb.
Illustration — a forest-clearing temple.
A simple shrine in a clearing
Kankai Mata is an unpretentious forest temple — a modest shrine to the goddess set in a clearing deep within Gir, with simple structures and rest facilities for the pilgrims and sadhus who make the journey. There is no grand architecture; the wonder is the setting.
Wrapped entirely by the lion forest, reached only through the sanctuary, it is a place where the boundary between temple and wilderness dissolves — among the most singular sacred sites in all of Gujarat. (Shown here as an illustrated emblem.)
Forest-clearing goddess shrine
Deep in the Gir sanctuary
Served by Maldhari & sadhus
Reached through the lion forest
When to go
Cool and clear — the best season for Gir and the coast.
Lush, but Gir's core largely closes.
Hot, but the best season for Gir wildlife sightings.
⏰ Go in winter with the required forest permits and a guide; treat the sanctuary and its wildlife with care.
Timings & entry
- Reached only through the Gir forest
- Forest permits/timings apply
- Go with a guide; respect the wildlife
- Allow a half day with travel
- Temple darshan is free
- Entering Gir requires permits
- Do not disturb the wildlife en route
- Carry water and travel in daylight
Getting there
By Air
Diu and Rajkot are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Junagadh/Veraval, then forest road.
By Road
Deep inside Gir; reached via forest routes with permits.
At the temple
SHRINE & WILD
A goddess temple amid the forest
What to shoot
The shrine in its forest clearing.
Surrounds
The wild Gir forest.
En route
Wildlife on the forest road.
Be discreet
Respect worship and wildlife.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Kamleshwar Dam
Ritual bathing where rivers meet the sea
Somnath Temple
◐ Sunset · the sea spire
Hiran & Kamleshwar
Gir's lifeline river, dam & birdlife
Veraval Harbour
◐ Dusk · fishing boats
Prabhas Patan
An ancient holy town with a fine museum
Chorwad Beach
A former royal seaside retreat
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & fafda
Saurashtra's beloved fried snacks.
Temple-town bites
Sweets and snacks near the temples.
Pure-veg & Kesar
Pilgrim-town veg fare; Gir Kesar mangoes in summer.
Kankai Mata Temple FAQ
What is Kankai Mata Temple?
A goddess shrine set deep inside the Gir lion sanctuary.
How do I reach it?
Through the Gir forest by road, with the required permits.
Why is it special?
It is a living temple in the middle of a national park, amid lions.
Who serves the temple?
The Maldhari forest herders and resident sadhus.
Is there an entry fee?
Darshan is free; entering Gir needs permits.
When should I go?
Winter, with a guide and permits.
Will I see lions?
Possibly — the road runs through lion country, though sightings aren't guaranteed.
What's nearby?
Tulsishyam and the wider Gir National Park.
Related places across Gujarat
Nilkanth Mahadev
A revered old Shiva temple in the old town
Old Broach Lanes
Wooden havelis and bazaars of the walled town
Dandi Kutir
◐ The cone-shaped museum
Stambhan Parshwanath
A revered Jain temple in old Khambhat
Khambhat Jama Masjid
A grand old mosque of the port
Teen Darwaza
The city's 1411 triple gateway & bazaar
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.