Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple)
Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, 30 km south of Bikaner, is one of India's most unusual temple experiences: a Shakti shrine housing approximately 20,000 sacred rats (called kabbas) who are revered as the reincarnations of deceased devotees awaiting rebirth. The presiding deity is Goddess Karni Mata (1387–1538 CE), a mystic saint believed to be an avatar of Durga who is said to have lived for 151 years.
About Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple)
Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, 30 km south of Bikaner, is one of India's most unusual temple experiences: a Shakti shrine housing approximately 20,000 sacred rats (called kabbas) who are revered as the reincarnations of deceased devotees awaiting rebirth. The presiding deity is Goddess Karni Mata (1387–1538 CE), a mystic saint believed to be an avatar of Durga who is said to have lived for 151 years.
Historical Lineage & Epigraphy
Karni Mata was a 14th-century Charan-caste sage from Rajasthan who performed miracles documented in Rajput chronicles. According to tradition, when her nephew drowned, she negotiated with Yama (Death) to restore his soul as a rat, and all her devotees would reincarnate as rats before returning to human form. The current marble temple was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner in 1900 CE.
Religious & Theological Significance
The white rats seen among the thousands are considered especially auspicious — spotting one is believed to bring good fortune. Food contaminated by rats is considered sacred prasad (divine offering). The Bikaner royal family considers Karni Mata their tutelary deity. Devotees of the presiding deity visit Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) for regular darshan (viewing of the deity) as well as for major festival observances throughout the year. The temple follows a daily schedule of puja ceremonies: typically beginning before dawn with the Mangala Aarti (auspicious lamp ritual) and concluding with a late-evening closing ceremony. Specific festivals — tied to the Hindu lunar calendar and the deity's mythological biography — draw significantly larger congregations and may include elaborate processions, chariot festivals, and special abhisheka (ritual bathing) ceremonies.
Architectural Classification & Engineering
The main temple is a Mughal-Rajput marble structure with carved silver doors gifted by Maharaja Ganga Singh. The inner sanctum houses the idol of Karni Mata surrounded by feeding bowls for the sacred rats. The regional architectural style used in Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) reflects the temple-building traditions dominant in India during its construction period. Key structural elements typically include the shikhara (spire) over the sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha), the mandapa (assembly hall), and in larger temples, separate halls for music, dance, and offerings. Decorative sculpture on the exterior walls depicts deities, celestial beings (apsaras), mythological narratives, and auspicious symbols drawn from Puranic literature; the quality and survival of this sculpture depend significantly on the stone used and subsequent conservation efforts.
Visitor Guidelines & Operational Timings
Shoes must be removed at the outer gate. Visitors walk barefoot on floors shared with rats. Photography is permitted but flash is restricted. The temple is generally open for darshan from early morning (approximately 5:00–6:00 AM) to late evening (approximately 8:00–9:00 PM), with a midday closure during the afternoon puja period; hours vary and should be confirmed locally. Visitors are required to remove footwear at the temple entrance and dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered); specific dress-code requirements vary by temple. Photography rules differ across temples — many prohibit cameras inside the sanctum but allow photography in outer precincts; posted signage or temple staff can clarify.
How to Reach
Deshnok Station is 500 m from the temple (on the Bikaner–Jodhpur railway line). Bikaner Junction is 30 km north. The nearest major city to Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) is the nearest town, from which the temple can be reached by local bus, auto-rickshaw, or hired taxi. Pilgrimage sites along the India circuit are typically well-connected by state transport buses; schedules should be verified at the nearest KSRTC, TSRTC, TNSTC, or equivalent state bus terminal. The nearest railway station is the most practical arrival point for long-distance travellers; from there, local transport to the temple is generally available.
- ✈️ Nearest Airport: Nal Airport, Bikaner (12 km)
- 🚆 Nearest Railway Station: Deshnok Railway Station (0.5 km) / Bikaner Junction (30 km)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are rats sacred at Karni Mata Temple?
Devotees believe the rats are the reincarnated souls of Karni Mata's devotees awaiting human rebirth.
What does sighting a white rat at Karni Mata Temple signify?
Spotting a white rat is considered highly auspicious and believed to bring good fortune.
Verified Academic & Administrative Sources
- Bikaner Royal Family Archives
- Rajasthan State Gazetteer
- Karni Mata Temple Trust Official Corpus
- Bikaner District Gazetteer