Karni Mata Temple – Home of the Holy Rats in India
The only miraculous temple in the world which is also known as Rat Temple. The prominent pilgrimage site ‘Karni mata temple’ located in the Deshnok village of Bikaner, Rajasthan, which is dedicated to karni mata. Thousands of visitors from worldwide pay a visit there to applaud its significance and miracle. Not only a deep religious site but also an alluring ritual site for devotees.
History Of Karni Mata Temple
This historical and religious site holds a crucial part in heart of its devotees. According to the legend of a mystic, Karni Mata, she was considered an avatar of Goddess Durga, the temple is dedicated to her. It is said that after Karni Mata’s stepson died, she requested Yama, the god of death, to bring her stepson back to his life. When he refused, she undid his death by her divine powers and mandated that her supporters would turn into rats and then return as people.
For this reason, the temple was home to over 25,000 sacred rats. Today’s lovely architectural structure of the temple was built in 1900 by Maharaja Ganga Singh, which showcases brilliant silver doors and stunning marble walls. With each passing year, the temple has mixed faith, legends, and architecture, encouraging people from many places to travel here.
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Sacred Rats
These religious rats show the miracle of the temple. Let’s explore more about them:
Significance of Rats in Temple
The temple is home to over 25000 sacred rats, which reflects the religious and mystery side of temple. Locals and devotees believed that rats are incarnation of karni mata. According to ancient beliefs, not a single devotee of Karni Mata ever dies, rather he rebirth as a rat of this temple and becomes a human being later. Harming rats of this temple will be sinful , and you will have to repent for it by donating a silver or gold rat.
Beliefs and Rituals Associated with Them
Thousands of devotees daily feed to the rats with sweets and milk and the most beautiful believe is that if they eat, it will be the blessing of Karni Mata.
Rare White Rats
Some very rare, pure-white rats can be seen among a lot of black ones. People think they are the real-life versions of Karni Mata and her family. Also, seeing a white rat is considered a blessing that gives good luck.
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Festivals Of Temple
Unlike other days, this temple is decorated with much fanfare during festivals and provides holy blessings:
Karni Mata Fair
Held during months of Navratri (especially in March–April and September–October) at twice in every year. Many devotees come to Deshnok to join in prayer, watch processions and take part in various rituals.
Navratri Celebration
At the temple, Navratri is an occasion for strong devotion. In addition to prayers, Karni Mata gets bhajans, aartis, and sacred offerings. Many pilgrims visit the temple as they consider these beautifully adorned nights sacred.
Full Moon Day
The spiritual day of Poornima as Full moon day features the most holy blessings of Karni Mata. The miracle fact is that prayers on this day will surely be completed.
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Travel Tips
These tips of travelling can help you to avoid sins during temple visit:
- Walk carefully in temple, make sure don’t harm any rats there.
- Dress modestly in the temple to respect their culture and religion.
- Feed rats to earn merit.
- Maintain cleanliness within the temple.
- Photography at spiritual site is restricted.
- Keep crucial essentials in safe pocket or bags.
Karni Mata Temple Also Known As: Madh Deshnoke
Best Time To Visit Karni Mata Temple
Every season brings various festivals and alluring weather, but the most ideal time of visit will be during winter, months of October to March. Summer months offer the best festival experiences, but large crowds and humid temperatures make the temple quite crowded.
- Visit on weekdays and off-festive days to avoid crowd and have a peaceful blessing of mata.
Timings To Visit Karni Mata Temple
Temple can be accessible from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM on each day of the week. Certainly, Aarti time is not fixed, may be seen fluctuation in aarti time.
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How To Reach Karni Mata Temple
Various ways to reach temple is considered in this article:
By Flight: Jodhpur Airport is 200 km to this sacred temple and well-connected to major cities. From airport, you have to take bus to Bikaner, later to deshnok from bikaner at 30 km ride by bus.
By Train: Bikaner Junction is main terminal of trains, which also provide direct taxis or buses to deshnok.
By Bus: Due to temple’s popularity, many state and cities provide direct buses to Deshnok. Alternately, you can travel to bikaner by bus then to deshnok.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is Karni Mata Temple famous?
Ans: Karni Mata Temple is famous for housing over 25,000 sacred rats, believed to be incarnations of her devotees.
2. Whose family deity is Karni Mata?
Ans: The royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur worship Karni Mata as their family deity (kuldevi), and the Charan community holds her in high reverence.
3. What are the miracles of Karni Mata?
Ans: One of the most known miracles is reviving her stepson’s soul by defying Yama, the god of death. She also blessed her devotees with rebirth through sacred rats.
4. What is the history of Karni Mata?
Ans: Karni Mata was a 14th-century mystic, believed to be an avatar of Goddess Durga.
5. Why are there rats in the Karni Mata Temple?
Ans: Devotees believe the rats are reincarnated souls of Karni Mata’s followers.
6. What time is Karni Mata Deshnok?
Ans: The temple is open daily from 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
7. Who built Karni Mata Temple?
Ans: Maharaja Ganga Singh built the current structure in the early 1900s.
