
Kankai Mata Temple Gir Forest Gujarat
A sacred sanctuary nestled deep within Gujarat's Gir Forest, offering divine peace and a unique jungle pilgrimage.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Pleasant weather, park open

Kankai Mata Temple Gir Forest Gujarat
Best Time
Pleasant weather, park open
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sacred sanctuary nestled deep within Gujarat's Gir Forest, offering divine peace and a unique jungle pilgrimage.
"The journey is tough, but the divine peace and delicious prashad make Kankai Mata Temple absolutely worth it. "

🚗 SUV is a Must
Opt for an SUV with high ground clearance for the rough jungle roads. Sedans are not recommended.
📵 No Network Zone
Expect zero mobile network coverage in the forest. Plan accordingly and download offline maps.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Divine Temple Ambiance
Main Temple Area
Experience a profoundly peaceful and divine atmosphere that soothes the soul amidst the jungle's tranquility.

Delicious Prashad
Temple Kitchen
Savor simple yet incredibly delicious free lunch prashad served to all devotees.

Wildlife Encounters
En route to the temple
Keep an eye out for herds of deer and other wild animals greeting you on the jungle road.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Navigating the Jungle Road
Forest Entry & Timing
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 SUV is a Must
Opt for an SUV with high ground clearance for the rough jungle roads. Sedans are not recommended.
📵 No Network Zone
Expect zero mobile network coverage in the forest. Plan accordingly and download offline maps.
🚫 Forest Rules
Strictly adhere to forest rules: no stopping, honking, feeding animals, or littering.
⏰ Stick to Timings
Gates open 9 AM-5 PM. Plan your travel to reach well within these hours.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 SUV is a Must
Opt for an SUV with high ground clearance for the rough jungle roads. Sedans are not recommended.
📵 No Network Zone
Expect zero mobile network coverage in the forest. Plan accordingly and download offline maps.
🚫 Forest Rules
Strictly adhere to forest rules: no stopping, honking, feeding animals, or littering.
⏰ Stick to Timings
Gates open 9 AM-5 PM. Plan your travel to reach well within these hours.
🙏 Respect the Serenity
Photography inside the temple is restricted. Be mindful of the peaceful, spiritual environment.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kankai Mata Temple is a highly spiritual and serene destination within the Gir Forest, offering a peaceful escape and delicious free prashad. While the journey involves challenging off-road conditions and requires careful planning regarding vehicle choice and forest permits, visitors find the divine atmosphere and natural beauty immensely rewarding.
"Kankai Mata Temple is a must-visit spiritual destination surrounded by the beauty of Gir forest. The temple offers a peaceful and divine atmosphere that instantly calms the mind.
The prashad served at the temple is also simple yet delicious—definitely a highlight of the experience.
However, be prepared for the journey. The road to the temple includes a 20 km stretch of rough, unpaved terrain that can be quite challenging, especially for aged people and people with back issues. Also, it is terribly hot in the months of March and April.
Despite the tough road, the visit is absolutely worth it. The serenity of the temple, the spiritual energy, and the warm prashad make it a memorable trip."
Priya
"Kankai Mata Temple, nestled within Gujarat's Gir Forest National Park, offers visitors a unique blend of spiritual devotion and natural beauty.
The ideal period is from October to March when the weather is pleasant, and the national park is open to visitors. The Temple is closed between Jun to October.
As the temple is in the jungle so the road to visit the temple is full of Off Road so it's preferable to come with a SUV
Since the temple is located within a protected national park, visitors need to obtain permission from the forest department.
There is no network coverage / Mobile Signal in the forest so plan accordingly."
Sumit Bhavsar
"The place is very peaceful to spend time. Middle of the jungle gir and require permission from forest department. If you lucky you might see some wild animals also. Please make sure you follow all rules of Forrest.
I suggest go for monsoon season. But 4 wheel is avoided. Bcz there are no roads. Must visit with SUV cars to thoroughly enjoyments. Avoid sedan car for any reason bcz way is off road."
Chirag Thumar
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common route from Sasan Gir is approximately 53 km via Satladhar, taking about 2 hours one way. This route involves roughly 33 km of unpaved, off-road terrain. A shorter 24 km route through Ravta is restricted for public vehicles.
An SUV with high ground clearance and good suspension is highly recommended due to the rough, unpaved roads. Vehicles like Force Gurkha are ideal. Sedans are strongly discouraged.
Yes, you need to obtain permission from the forest department. Free forest permits are issued at the entry and exit points, with time restrictions for crossing segments.
While GPS can be helpful, be aware that there is no mobile network coverage in the forest. It's advisable to download offline maps before you start your journey.
Some pilgrims have been seen coming by public bus, but the rough terrain makes private vehicles, especially SUVs, a much more practical and comfortable option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
While the temple itself doesn't have an entry fee, you will need to obtain a forest permit to enter the Gir Forest National Park area where the temple is located.
The temple typically closes at 5:00 PM. Gates for private vehicles within the forest are usually open between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
Overnight stays are generally restricted to temple staff and pilgrims performing night pujas or homas.
Photography inside the temple is generally not allowed. However, you might be able to capture photos of the surrounding nature and wildlife en route.
The temple and entry into the reserve forest are prohibited due to the monsoon season from approximately June 15th to October 15th every year.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The ideal period to visit is from October to March when the weather is pleasant. The temple and forest are closed during the monsoon season (June to October).
The temple is situated in the heart of Gir Forest. You might spot herds of deer, and at night, lions are known to visit the nearby water body for drinking.
Yes, basic facilities such as toilets and drinking water are available for devotees at the temple complex.
Be aware of langurs, as they can be present around the temple premises. Keep your belongings secure and avoid feeding them.
Yes, there is spacious open parking available at the front of the temple complex for visitors.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, free, unlimited lunch prashad is served to all devotees. It's a simple yet delicious meal.
No, the prashad is free for all devotees. You might be asked to help clean the utensils as part of the community service.
Given its remote location within the forest, there are no restaurants near the temple. It's advisable to carry snacks and water if you plan to spend a significant amount of time.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography inside the main temple area is restricted. However, you may be able to take pictures of the wildlife and the scenic jungle route on your way to the temple.
The most memorable photo opportunities often come from unexpected wildlife sightings on the jungle road, like herds of deer. The serene temple setting itself is also picturesque.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🙏 Devout Pilgrims
🚗 Adventure Seekers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Challenging Road to Divinity
It's crucial to plan your vehicle choice and travel time carefully. The forest entry gates have specific opening hours, typically from 9 AM to 5 PM, and the temple itself closes at 5 PM. This means you need to factor in travel time to reach the temple and return before closing. The restricted route through Ravta is not for public vehicles, so the longer Sasan-Satadhar-Kankai route is the standard option. Despite the difficulties, many visitors find the journey exhilarating and the destination profoundly worth the effort.
Spiritual Solace and Natural Wonders
Beyond the spiritual aspect, the temple's location within the national park offers unique natural encounters. While photography inside the temple is restricted, the journey itself can be a visual treat. You might be lucky enough to witness herds of deer greeting you along the jungle road. At night, the adjacent water body is a known spot for lions to come and drink, adding an element of wild wonder to the experience. Remember that mobile network coverage is non-existent in the forest, so be prepared to disconnect and immerse yourself in the surroundings.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit