Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke – Legends

Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke – Legends

As per legend, Hinglaj Devi was reborn as Karni Mata to a Charan brahmin family. She performed several miracles from her younger age. She cured her paternal aunt from paralysis. Then on, she called affectionately as Karni (the doer) by her aunt. Karni married Kipoji Charan of Sathika village for the sake of her parents. She revealed her divine form to her husband before the marriage was consummated and commanded him to marry her younger sister. Four sons were born to them. One day, Lakshman, the stepson of Karni Mata drowned in a pond in Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat while he was attempting to drink from it. 

Grieved by his loss, Karni Mata prays ardently to Yama, the Hindu God of death, who first denies her request to bring her son back to life. However, moved by her sorrow and will, he gives in to her pleadings and reincarnates not just Laxman but all of Karni Mata’s male children as rats. Grieved by his loss, Karni Mata requested Yama, the God of death to bring her son back to life. Yama initially denied her request stating that it would be against the natural cycle of life and death.

However, Yama was moved by her sorrow and reincarnates not only Lakshman but all of Karni Mata’s male descendants as rats. Karni Mata promised that all members of the Charan caste would be reincarnated as rats in her temple. When they die as rats, they are once more reincarnated as members of the Depavats family, as Karni Mata’s descendants are known. It is believed that feeding rats at this temple brings good fortune.