Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke

About Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke

Shri Karni Mata Temple, globally renowned as the 'Temple of Rats', is a historic Hindu temple situated in Deshnoke, 30 km south of Bikaner, Rajasthan. Dedicated to Karni Mata (a 15th-century female ascetic revered as an incarnation of Goddess Durga), the complex is home to over 25,000 sacred black rats, locally known as 'Kabas', who roam freely across the marble floors and receive daily milk offerings.

Historical Lineage & Epigraphy

Karni Mata lived in the 15th century and laid the foundation stones of the Rathore forts at Bikaner and Jodhpur. Tradition states that when her stepson Laxman drowned in Kapil Sarovar, Karni Mata implored Yama (God of Death); Yama granted that Laxman and all male descendants of Karni Mata's Charan clan would reincarnate as Kabas (rats) before returning as humans.

Religious & Theological Significance

Sighting one of the rare white rats among the 25,000 black rats is considered an exceptionally lucky omen of divine grace. Eating food or drinking milk nibbled by the Kabas is held as auspicious Prasad. Devotees of the presiding deity visit Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke 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

Commissioned in white marble by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, the temple features solid silver embossed doors, intricate marble carvings, and protective wire mesh overhead to protect the rats from birds of prey. The regional architectural style used in Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke 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

Visitors must enter barefoot. Walking through the temple while scuffing feet on the marble floor prevents accidentally stepping on a Kaba. 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

Deshnoke Station is 1 km away on the Bikaner-Jodhpur rail route. Regular buses run from Bikaner (30 km). The nearest major city to Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke 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: Bikaner Airport, Nal (35 km) / Jodhpur (220 km)
• 🚆 Nearest Railway Station: Deshnoke Railway Station (1 km) / Bikaner Junction (30 km)

Frequently Asked Questions

Verified Academic & Administrative Sources

• Shri Karni Mata Mandir Trust Deshnoke
• Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC)
• Royal House of Bikaner Historical Papers
• Bikaner District Gazetteer