Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to goddess Durga located in Deshnoke Town near Bikaner City in Bikaner Tehsil in Bikaner District in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. The temple is famously known as the Temple of Rats. The temple is situated in the Marwar region of the Thar Desert.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/karni-mata-temple-deshnoke-legends.html

History

The original temple might have been built in 15th century CE. The current temple was built in the early 20th century by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. The temple was further renovated by Kundan Lal Verma, a Hyderabad-based Karni Jeweller in 1999. Karni Mata is considered as the patron deity of the erstwhile royal family of Bikaner. It is said that Karni Mata was a Hindu warrior sage from the Charan caste, who lived in the 14th century CE. Karni Mata was highly revered by the locals. She even laid the foundation stones of the Mehrangarh and Bikaner Forts on the request of Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner.

The Temple

The temple follows late Rajput style of architecture. There is a beautiful marble façade with silver doors with panels depicting the various legends of the goddess at the entrance of the temple. The sanctum enshrines an image of Karni Mata. The idol is about 75 cm tall. She is accompanied by her sisters on either side and holds a trident in her hand. The temple has approximately 25,000 rats and these rats are revered in the temple. The ritual priests of the temple known as the Charan Brahmins draw on the one hand their ritual sacred identity as children of Karni Mata.

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open between 04.00 a.m. in the morning to 10.00 p.m. at night, every day.

Festivals

Karni Mata Fair is held twice in a year. The first and larger fair is held in March–April during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashami. The second fair is held in September–October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashami. During Navratri thousands of people make pilgrimage to the temple by foot.

Religious Significance

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2023/08/karni-mata-temple-deshnoke-religious-significance.html

Connectivity

The temple is located at about 250 metres from Deshnoke Railway Station, 500 metres from Deshnoke Bus Stand, 30 Kms from Bikaner, 33 Kms from Nokha, 42 Kms from Bikaner Airport, 89 Kms from Nagaur and 324 Kms from Jaipur. The temple is situated on Bikaner to Nokha route.

Location