Kankai Mata Temple (inside Gir)
Somnath, Gujarat · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Few temples in India ask you to travel through lion country to reach them, but the Kankai Mata Temple does exactly that. Tucked deep inside the Gir Forest — the last refuge of the Asiatic lion — this active shrine to the mother goddess sits at the heart of a wilderness clearing, ringed by teak, dhak and acacia and threaded by the seasonal Kamleshwar catchment. For pilgrims it is a living Devi sthan; for travellers it is one of the most atmospheric journeys in Saurashtra, where a temple visit doubles as a passage through one of Asia's great forests.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Kankai Mata temple bhojanalaya (free pure-veg prasad for pilgrims, inside the forest)
- ✦Pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali kitchens at Sasan Gir
- ✦Lodge and resort dining rooms serving vegetarian thali near Sasan Gir gate
- ✦Pure-veg dhaba-style eateries on the Sasan Gir–Junagadh road
About
Few temples in India ask you to travel through lion country to reach them, but the Kankai Mata Temple does exactly that. Tucked deep inside the Gir Forest — the last refuge of the Asiatic lion — this active shrine to the mother goddess sits at the heart of a wilderness clearing, ringed by teak, dhak and acacia and threaded by the seasonal Kamleshwar catchment.
- For pilgrims it is a living Devi sthan; for travellers it is one of the most atmospheric journeys in Saurashtra, where a temple visit doubles as a passage through one of Asia's great forests.
- Kankai Mata is worshipped here as a form of the mother goddess, and the shrine is tended by resident priests and a small community that lives within the forest under long-standing arrangements with the sanctuary.
- Devotees, many of them from the pastoral Maldhari and wider Kathiyawadi communities, come for darshan, to fulfil vows and to attend the festival gatherings that swell the clearing on auspicious days, particularly around Navratri and the goddess's fair days.
- A simple bhojanalaya attached to the temple serves free pure-vegetarian prasad to pilgrims, sustaining the age-old tradition of feeding every visitor who arrives.
- Reaching Kankai is part of the pilgrimage.
- The shrine lies well inside the reserve, and access is regulated by the Gujarat Forest Department: visitors travel by permitted vehicle along forest tracks from Sasan Gir or nearby gates, and permissions, timings and open days depend on the season, with the monsoon closure period each year restricting entry.
- Because this is protected lion habitat, the standard forest rules apply — stay with your vehicle and guide, do not wander off the track, avoid noise, carry no plastic, and never feed or approach wildlife.
- It is wise to confirm the day's arrangements at Sasan before setting out, as routes and permits can change.
- The reward is a shrine wrapped in birdsong and forest silence, utterly unlike the crowded temple towns of the plains.
- For food, the temple's own bhojanalaya offers sattvik pure-vegetarian prasad to pilgrims, and this is the most reliable meal deep inside the forest.
- Since options within the reserve are minimal, most travellers eat before or after their trip at Sasan Gir, where pure-vegetarian Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali kitchens and lodge dining rooms serve unlimited rotli, shaak, dal-bhaat, khichdi and chaas.
- Carry your own water and a few packed vegetarian snacks for the long forest drive, and treat the prasad hall as both a meal and a part of the pilgrimage.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Kankai Mata Temple, inside Gir National Park & Sanctuary, near Sasan Gir, Somnath, Gujarat, 362135
How to Reach: Deep inside the Gir Forest, reached only by permitted vehicle along regulated forest tracks from Sasan Gir. Sasan Gir is about 45 km from Junagadh and roughly 45 km from Somnath by road, with the nearest railhead at Sasan Gir/Veraval; arrange a Forest Department permit and guide at Sasan before entering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Kankai Mata Temple?
The temple runs a bhojanalaya that serves free pure-vegetarian prasad to pilgrims, which is the most reliable meal inside the forest. Since options within the reserve are limited, most travellers also eat at Sasan Gir, where pure-veg Gujarati and Kathiyawadi thali kitchens and lodge dining rooms serve unlimited rotli, shaak, dal, rice and chaas. Carry your own water and a few packed vegetarian snacks for the long forest drive.
How do I reach Kankai Mata Temple inside Gir?
The shrine lies deep within the Gir Forest and can only be reached by permitted vehicle along regulated forest tracks, usually from Sasan Gir. You must arrange a Forest Department permit and guide at Sasan before entering, and it is best to confirm the day's route and timings there, as access depends on the season and can change.
Is Kankai Mata Temple open all year?
No. Because it sits inside the Gir sanctuary, access follows the forest calendar: the reserve is generally open from around mid-October to mid-June and closed through the monsoon. Timings and open days are set by the Gir Forest Department, so always check current arrangements at Sasan Gir before planning your visit.
Can I see lions on the way to Kankai Mata Temple?
The route passes through the core habitat of the Asiatic lion, so wildlife sightings — lions, deer, nilgai and many birds — are possible, though never guaranteed. This is a protected forest, not a safari show, so stay with your vehicle and guide, keep noise to a minimum, and never approach or feed any animal.
What should I keep in mind when visiting this forest shrine?
Treat it as both a pilgrimage and a wildlife area. Carry your permit, stay on the marked track with your guide, avoid plastic and loud sounds, and do not wander off. Plan for a long drive with limited facilities, dress modestly for the temple, and return before the forest gates close for the day.