Tanot and Longewala: permits, ID and border rules

The short answer

The rules below are what visitors and local drivers report. They are set by the BSF, the Army and the district administration, and they can change overnight when security needs it.

• Indian nationals can drive to Longewala War Memorial and Tanot Mata temple with a valid photo ID; carry the original.
• Going beyond Tanot to the Babliyan BSF post (border viewing) is for Indian nationals only: register at the BSF counter at Tanot with original ID, or apply for the online e-pass through the Tanot temple trust (introduced in 2024).
• Foreign nationals should not plan on the border belt beyond the main road without written permission; the rules are not clearly published, so check with the district administration first.
• There is no fuel or reliable network after Ramgarh — fill up and carry water and snacks.
• Photography of army or BSF installations is not allowed.

Please treat this page as a starting point and check with your driver or hotel the day before you go.

Indian nationals: Tanot and Longewala

Both sites sit on the same road, about ~120 km · 2–2.5 hr from Jaisalmer. Entry to each is free. There are police and Army checkpoints on the way, and you may be asked for ID at any of them.

Carry an original government photo ID — Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID. Photocopies alone may not be accepted. A couple of spare photocopies are still handy for registration.

Longewala is run by the Army and tells the story of the 1971 battle, with captured tanks outside and a short, ticketed film. Tanot Mata temple is managed by a BSF trust and is known for the shells that, as the story goes, failed to explode in 1965.

Going beyond Tanot: the Babliyan BSF post

Further along the border road beyond Tanot is the Babliyan BSF post, where visitors can see the fenced border. This is the part that needs permission, and it is open to Indian nationals only.

There are two ways it has worked:

1. At Tanot: register at the BSF counter near the temple with your original photo ID. Every adult in the vehicle usually needs to be listed.
2. Online: an e-pass was introduced in 2024 through the Tanot temple trust. The process, hours and daily limits have changed since launch, so check the current arrangement before relying on it.

Access is at the BSF’s discretion. Visits can be suspended for days or weeks during alerts, and there is no fee to "speed it up". Anyone selling a guaranteed border pass is not an official channel.

Foreign nationals

This is where the rules are least clear. Foreign visitors have generally been able to visit Longewala and Tanot Mata temple on the main road. Going to the BSF post or elsewhere in the border belt is not open to foreigners without written permission.

The rules for foreigners are not published in one place. If the border area is important to you, contact the district administration in Jaisalmer well before your trip, carry your passport and visa, and follow what the checkpoints tell you. OCI card holders should ask too; do not assume Indian rules apply.

Photos, children, timings and supplies

• Photography: photos at the temple and memorial are fine. Never photograph BSF or Army posts, vehicles, bunkers or personnel. Drones are not allowed.
• Children: they are welcome at both sites. For the BSF post, carry a school ID, Aadhaar or birth certificate for each child in case it is asked for.
• Timings: Tanot is open about 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM and Longewala about 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan to leave the belt before dark.
• Fuel and network: fill the tank in Jaisalmer or Ramgarh. Mobile signal is patchy or absent after that. Carry water, snacks and cash.
• Dress: cover shoulders and knees at the temple. Aarti is held morning and evening.

Doing it as a day trip

Most people go by hired car. A typical loop runs Jaisalmer – Ramgarh – Tanot – Babliyan (if allowed) – Longewala – Jaisalmer, which is a long day of well over 240 km.

• Leave by 7 AM; stop in Ramgarh for fuel and tea.
• Reach Tanot by late morning, register if you want to go to the post, and visit the temple.
• Drive on to Longewala after lunch, then return before sunset.

See the Jaisalmer to Tanot and Longewala cab page for fares, and the place pages for Tanot Mata temple and Longewala War Memorial.

Desert National Park permits

Desert National Park is a separate matter, run by the Rajasthan Forest Department. You need an entry permit for each person, plus fees for the vehicle and any camera. Foreigners can visit.

The main visitor area is around Sudasari, roughly ~45 km · 1 hr (Sudasari area ~60 km) from Jaisalmer. Permits are issued by the forest department, either at its office or at the park gate — ask your driver or camp which applies that season. Carry original ID.

Hours are about 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Go early for the best chance of seeing chinkara, desert foxes and, with real luck, the Great Indian Bustard.

Read more on the Desert National Park page.