KANKAI TEMPLE SAFARI BOOKING

KANKAI TEMPLE SAFARI BOOKING FORM

Kankai Temple Safari, Temple safari Booking

Name *

Email Address *

Phone *

Visit Date*

No of Adult*

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

No of Kids*

1 2 3

Timing*

6 AM-11 AM 6:30 AM-12:00 PM 1 PM-5-6 PM

Message*

Cost & Inclusions: ( Approx Pricing (per vehicle/ride))

• ₹6,000–6,500 for up to 6 adults (Indians & foreigners often same rate)
• Some variance: ₹6,000–8,500 depending on season, groups, weekends, festivals

Typically includes:

• Pickup & drop from Sasan Gir / Gir Reception (Sinh Sadan)
• Forest entry permit, AC vehicle (Innova/Sumo/SUV) + fuel/taxes
• Mineral water
• Guide (on some packages)

Excludes:

Tips, gratuities, meals, overnight permit unless arranged

Route & Vehicle Info

• Vehicles: AC jeeps/SUVs (Innova, Sumo), max 6 adults + 1 child — sometimes Category A or B as per forest norms
• Route: Rough forest roads; total distance ~50–60 km round-trip, with ~5 hr duration .
• Terrain is bumpy/muddy—high-clearance vehicles are essential .

Best Time to Go

• October to March: ideal—pleasant weather, park open, plenty of wildlife Wanderlog.
• Avoid monsoon: park is closed June 16–October 15

Booking Tips

• Book 4–12 weeks in advance, safari slots get full quickly
• Complete personal details & ID proof; max 6 adults + 1 child per vehicle
• Check refund policies: e.g. 75% refund if cancelled before 10 days, zero if within 2 days
• Overnight temple stay requires special permit (limited to ~50 people) from Forest Department

Festivals & Highlights

• Navratri is a major event: temple alive with drumming, rituals, colorful traditional dress, devotional songs
• Wildlife viewing: watch animals gathering at temple lake, lions may be heard/seen nearby

Kankai Mata Temple History

Here’s a fascinating look at the history and legend of Kankai Mata Temple:

• The exact founding date of the temple is not documented, but local lore and scholarly sources suggest origins may stretch back centuries. One legend states that the 8th-century king Kanak Chavda founded the city of Kankavti (or “Kankai”) and established Maa Kankai as its presiding deity
• Another popular belief is that about 400 years ago, shepherds and tribal forest dwellers built the first shrine after Kankai Mataji appeared in dreams, guiding them to a spot near the Shingavada River where lions and humans peacefully coexisted. This marked the temple’s initial establishment.
• The name Kankai or Kankeshwari is thought to derive from ‘Kanaka’ (gold), symbolizing divine energy, prosperity, and protection.

Cultural & Community Significance

• Kankai Mataji is worshipped as the Kuldevi (family goddess) by numerous Gujarati communities, including Vaishya Suthars, Gurjar Suthars, Uneval Brahmins, Bhawsars, Bhadreshwar-Vanza, Modh Vanik, Rabari, Mochi, and others.
• Within the temple complex sits a smaller shrine to Bhudarjee Dada, regarded as Mataji’s brother, adding a familial dimension to the spiritual experience

Location & Historical Context

• The temple is located deep within Gir Forest National Park, about 25–50 km from Sasan Gir, nestled beside the Shingavada (Shingwado) River
• Its serene and remote positioning allowed it to thrive as a spiritual haven, while still immersed in the sounds of wildlife—most notably Asiatic lions roaming nearby

Restoration & Renovation

• Community legends speak of an earlier temple undergoing neglect and decay, before being renovated around Samvat 1864, though detailed records are limited .
• A significant restoration took place in Samvat 2006–2008 (mid 20th century), led by a temple trust. On 3 March 1952, the original deity idol was reinstalled amid great enthusiasm

Festival And Celebration

Here’s a look at the Kankai Mata Temple, nestled within the Gir Forest in Junagadh district, Gujarat—situated about 25–50 km from Sasan Gir, accessible via forest entry permits and safari bookings.

Navratri (Nine Nights of Worship)

• Duration: Nine nights, typically in Chaitra (Mar–Apr) and Sharad Navratri (Sep–Oct).
• Significance: Devotees honor Goddess Kankeshwari, considered an incarnation of Durga.
• Rituals & Activities: Aartis, bhajans, yajnas, and devotional music fill the forest | The temple and its surroundings are beautifully decorated with lights and flowers. | Community prasad distribution and meals are common
• Atmosphere: Drums, devotional songs, colorful traditional attire, and deep spiritual fervor evoke a festive yet serene energy

During Navratri, many pilgrims plan overnight stays to fully experience the devotional ambience—though overnight permission from the forest department is required.

Other Observances

• While Navratri is the most prominent festival at Kankai Mata Temple, there may occasionally be local observances or temple events and yagyas organized by the temple trust. However, no widely documented annual fairs beyond Navratri are known from available sources.

Kankai Safari Booking Procedure

Here’s a clear guide to booking the Kankai Temple Safari (commonly called the Kankai Safari) in Gir National Park, Gujarat:

What Is the Kankai Safari?

This is a temple visit trail inside Gir National Park, taking you about 25 km deep into the forest to the Kankai Mata shrine. The trail is conducted in enclosed vehicles (like Innova or similar), not open gypsies. While you may spot wildlife—including lions—the focus is spiritual and scenic, rather than a traditional tiger safari.

Safari Timing & Schedule :

Commonly offered year-round except during monsoon (mid-June to mid October) | Specific times may vary slightly by provider (e.g. 6:30 12:00, 1:00 5:00) .

Costs & Capacity

Booking Steps

• Book online via the Gir National Park or affiliated official booking portal. (Some sources—typically private agencies—offer forms.)
• Provide your personal details: name, email, phone, travel date, number of adults and children, and nationality.
• Make the payment as per the displayed amount.
• Confirmation: After payment, you receive a booking voucher or confirmation. Some private providers require you to call after payment to finalize booking or secure a time slot.
• Print your voucher and carry the original ID proofs matching those used during booking. You must arrive at Sinh Sadan (Gir Reception) at least 30 minutes before your safari time.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Cancellation refunds are tiered based on days before the safari date:

• ≥10 days: 75% refund
• ≥5 days: 50%
• ≥2 days: 25%
• <2 days: no refund (Some private providers may treat cancellation days differently or count delays differently.) Processing is typically completed within 3 working days.

Tips & Notes

• Vehicle type: Innova or similar non AC cars (not open gypsies) are used.
• Lions are rare sightings: The trail is scenic and spiritual—don’t expect high wildlife density.
• Private operator vs official booking: Unauthorised agencies exist that mirror government pages and may charge more or request personal details. Use official government portals or trusted state-authorized operators.
• Advance booking encouraged: Permits are limited—booking at least a month in advance is advised.

How to reach Kankai Safari

To reach Kankai Safari (to the Kankai Mata Temple inside Gir National Park), here's a streamlined guide:

• By Air
  Nearest airports: Rajkot (~160 km) or Ahmedabad (~410 km) from Sasan Gir
  From either airport, take a taxi or bus to Junagadh, then onward to Sasan Gir (~65 km).
• By Train
  Nearest railheads: Junagadh or Veraval
  From there, it's a 65 km taxi or bus ride to Sasan Gir.
• By Road
  Junagadh → 60 km to Sasan Gir; Ahmedabad → 360 km to Sasan Gir
  Hire a private taxi, or drive yourself to Sasan Gir as your base.