Located in the small town of Deshnoke, close to Bikaner, Rajasthan, Karni Mata Temple is one of the most mysterious and sacred temples in India. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Durga.
This temple is home to thousands of rats, which are highly revered, fed and worshipped. Devotees believe these rats are reincarnations of ancestors of Goddess Karni Mata.
Let's understand the rats in the Karni Temple, why they are worshipped, and the legend behind it.
The Legend: Why Are The Rats Considered Sacred?
According to legend, Karni Mata’s son Laxman drowned in a pond when he was trying to drink water from it. When Karni Mata got to know about it, she asked Yama, the god of death, to bring him back to life.
Yama refused her request, but upon her insistence, agreed and granted her wish that her son would be reborn as a rat and all her male descendants would be reincarnated as rats before they were reborn as humans.
The locals of Deshnoke believe that the rats are reincarnations of their ancestors, including their own children who died during early life.
The locals of Deshnoke believe that the rats are reincarnations of their ancestors (Image: Facebook/KarniMataTempleDeshnok)
Beliefs Related To Karni Mata's Rats
The rats are also called Kabas, which translates to little children. That is why when visitors visit this temple, they often feed them and even share their food, especially the Charan caste of Rajasthan.
Seeing a white rat in the temple is considered extremely auspicious, and it is believed that the Mother Goddess bestows special blessings on them.
According to the temple priests, the rats do not harm anyone here. Even if someone comes sick, they are said to be given water touched by the rats. They believe these rats are not ordinary rats, but a blessing from the goddess.
If a visitor accidentally kills or injures a rat at the Karni Mata Temple, they are expected to donate gold or endure bad karma.
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Karni Mata Temple History
The Karni Mata temple was built by Raja Jai Singh. The current temple was renovated by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the Rajput style around the 15th and 20th centuries. The temple features marble carvings and silver doors, which are recent additions by Mr Kundanlal.
The Karni Mata temple was built by Raja Jai Singh (Image: Facebook:KarniMataTempleDeshnok)
Best Time To Visit The Temple
In terms of the season, avoid summers (April to June) when temperatures soar to over 40 degrees. It is best to visit between September and February when it is reasonably cooler.
How To Visit The Temple?
Karni Mata Rat Temple is located in a small village called Deshnok (Deshnoke) in Rajasthan. The closest city is Bikaner at a distance of 30 km. Bikaner has its own airport and railway station. Once you reach the city, you will find plenty of public buses that take you to Deshnok. Alternately, you can hire a cab in Bikaner and get to Deshnok.
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Will you ever visit Karni Mata temple?
FAQs
1. What is the significance of seeing a white rat at Karni Mata Temple?
According to beliefs, the white rats are particularly auspicious and represent Karni Mata herself or her sons.
2. What are the rules and customs for visitors at Karni Mata Temple?
The general rules and customs include removing shoes, not harming the rats, and participating respectfully in rituals.