Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok, 30km south of Bikaner is a popular temple not only in Rajasthan but whole of India. This Temple situated in a small town of Deshnok is dedicated to Goddess Karni, a fifteenth century mystic who is regarded as the incarnation of Maa Durga. It is believed that she foretold the victory and success of Rao Bika and the prophecy came true.
This temple is quite famous for a large number of brown rats running around the temple complex fearlessly. It is believed that the souls of dead Charans (traditional bards, the devotees of Mata) reside in these rats and consequently they must be protected and well fed.
Karni Mata Temple - Legend
Karni Mata was an ascetic and was endowed with supernatural powers. It is said that the foundation of Deshnok was laid by her and she has been worshipped as a goddess by her principal followers, Charans, as well as the rulers of Bikaner, who regarded her as the patron deity. At some point during her life, a child of a devotee died. She attempted to bring the child back to life, only to be told by Yama, the god of death, that he had already been reincarnated. Karni refused to accept and restored child back to life and said that Yamaraja would no longer govern her tribe of Charans. After death they would enter the bodies of kabas, or sacred rats, and when the rats died they would be reborn as Charans.
About Karni Mata Temple
The present temple dates back to the 15th century. It was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. The principal temple along with the circumambulatory path and outer walls is built of red stone. The main gate is grand and high and it is made of marble on which beautiful carving work has been done. The entire floor of the temple is also of marble. The domes of the temple are made of silver and gold. The mandap and the panels above the image are also golden. Inside the inner temple the small shrine which is said to have been made 600 years ago by Karni Mata herself is present. Inside the shrine, a 75 cm image of Karni Mata adorned with a mukut and garland is installed. Her image is accompanied by the images of her sisters and the sisters of Avad Mata. Karni Mata is depicted holding a trishul (trident) in one of her hands. Devotees usually place offerings of silver and gold when their prayers are answered.
The specialty of the temple is the legions of brown rats scampering around the floor which are treated with utmost reverence here. The temple has around 20,000 rats that are fed, protected and worshipped. Devotees offer milk, grains and sweets to these rats each time prayers are offered in the temple. Many holes can be seen in the courtyard of this temple. It is regarded auspicious, if a rat (kaba) runs across one's feet. Even, a glimpse of white rat is considered very auspicious. They are believed to be the manifestations of Karni Mata herself and her four sons
The temple is thrown open to the public early in the morning at 4.00 am. Karni Mata fair is held twice a year at Deshnoke in the month of Vaishakh (April to May) and Kartik (October to November). The Rajputs also bring their children to perform the first hair cutting ceremony here. The festival of Navaratri is celebrated with great grandeur here. During the festival thousands of devotees from far and wide visit the temple.
How to reach Karni Mata Temple
The Jodhpur Airport is the closest domestic airbase to Deshnok which is 253 Km away from Bikaner. Deshnok Railway Station is a small railhead and facilitates convenient rail connectivity to the many places. Apart from this Bikaner railway station is well connected to the cities of Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Kalka, and Bhatinda. Tourists can also reach Bikaner by availing convenient bus services. Plenty of bus services are available from Bikaner to Delhi, Jodhpur, Agra, Ajmer, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Udaipur and Kota.