Karni Mata Temple Bikaner at Deshnok is dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnations of Goddess Durga. Also known as the Rat Temple, the temple is a renowned center for rat worship and draws many visitors every day. This 600 years old temple is home to thousands of black, grey and white rats or Kaba. As per folklore, feeding rats at this temple brings good fortune. According to the local belief, the rats would reincarnate as holy men.
The temple is carved from stones and marble, which features silver gates built by Maharaja Ganga Singh and an overhead mesh that protect rats from birds. The silver doors depict the various legends associated with the goddess. An image of Karni Mata is depicted holding trident in her hand in the sanctum sanctorum. It is believed that Goddess Durga lived at this place during 14th century and performed miracles. The deity is believed to protect the erstwhile royal family of Bikaner.
There are about 20,000 rats in the temple premises. The rats move freely in the temple and appear from crevices in the marble covered walls and flooring. Sighting of a white rat is considered very auspicious. If anyone is killed, then an idol of the rat made of solid gold has to be donated as penance for the crime. Many people offer sweets, milk and other edible offerings to the rats. The food nibbled by rats is also considered holy and consumed as prasad.
The best time to visit the temple is during Karni Mata Fair. The fair is celebrated two times in a year at Deshnok in the month of Vaishakha (April to May) and Kartika (October to November). Devotees from all over the state came to Deshnok to worship goddess Durga and her embodiments. Rajputs also come with their children on jadula (first haircut of children), to take the blessing of goddess for their children.
History of Karni Mata
Karni Mata was endowed with divine powers. The daughter of Meha Ji Kiniya, Karni Ji incarnated on 28th Sep.,1387 at Suvap Village in Tehsil Phalodi of Jodhpur District.She was marrid to depaji.The present deshnoke was founded by her on Baisakh Sudi Dwitiya Samvat 1476. Karni Ji developed the area into a sanctury and anyone seeking asylum in this area was put to no harm. People accused of crime used to come here and adop sanityto get themselves absolved of their sins. Karni mata witnessed the accession to royal thrones by three consecutive generations of rulers Rao Ridmal , Rao Jodha and Rao Bika. She was instrumental in enabling those three kings to get the reins of power . Rao Bika beseeched her blessings and founded a new empire in 1488A.D.
Karniji arranged his marriage with the daughter of Bhati Rao Shekha of Pugal, who was in prison at that time at Multan. The marriage procession arrived and as the presence of bride’s father was essential in the circuit ceremony, Karniji flew-off to Multan in the shape of an eagle, brought Shekha with her and caused him to complete the ceremony.
Rao Bika sought her advice for each and every important issue and worked according to her instructions. Several instances show that whenever the kings of Bikaner found themselves in trouble, they remembered Karniji and with her blessing succeeded in getting over their turmoil. The royal family of Bikaner always held Karniji in great esteem. The ‘Garbh Griha’ of deshnoke temple was founded by Karniji herself. The marble construction was completed in the time of Maharaja Ganga Singhji with superb architectural and artistic designs. Mata Churned curd with wooden form of dry tree which was later transformed into green vegitation .deshnoke has given us renowned men of literature.
The Charans are famous for their literary creation and devotion to the deity.People here live in peace, harmony, and fraternity.Karniji’s name is attached to all sorts of social, literary and religious institutions. Pilgrims come to pay their homage to Karni Mata twice a year at the time of Nav Ratra. The ‘ORAN’ is a sacred and protected area fore trees. There is the strict prohibition for cutting the trees.
Karniji’s far approaches for the protection of the environment and keeping it unpolluted has saved people from many vicissitudes through the centuries. Karniji’s blessings are always with the people of Bikaner.
