Bikaner City Guide
The 600 year old temple is dedicated to Karni Mata. Here rats are considered holy, owing to the belief, that the souls of the devotees are resident in these rats.
Location : The Karni Devi temple is situated 30 Km from Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Best Time to Visit : Bikaner should be visited in winters, ie, October to March, as summers are intolerable here.
About the Karni Devi Temple
The Karni Mata temple is situated 30 kms from Bikaner, in the small village called Deshnok. The temple is dedicated to an early fifteenth century mystic who was considered to be a reincarnation of goddess Durga. The temple is considered very holy. The whole temple was built by a ruler of Bikaner, Ganga Singh. A unique feature of the temple is that it offers shelters to thousands of rats. According to myths, these rats are the re-born descedants of the Charan clad. Rats here are worshipped. People from far and wide come to pay religious tribute to Karni mata. Throughout the year there's an influx of pilgrims. During the time of navratri thousands flock to mata's temple on foot. A fair is also organised during the Navratra days.
Architecture of the Temples
The idol of deity is one feet three inches wide and two and half feet tall. The principal temple alongwith the circumambulatory path and outer walls is built of red stone but the main gate is grand and high and it is made of marble on which beautiful carving work has been done. Bikaner's ruler Ganga Singh had the whole temple built in marble. The domes of the temple are made of silver and gold. The manadap and the panels above the image are also golden. The elaborate works on the main gate of the temple is a tribute to the fine craftsmanship of the artisans of those days. The shrine inside the temple is said to have been made 600 years ago by Karni Mata herself.
Getting There
By Air : Nearest airport is Jodhpur 250 Km.
By Rail : Bikaner is well connected with Delhi, Agra, Allahabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bhatinda, Kalka, Haridwar, Kolkata, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
By Road : Bikaner is connected by good motorable roads to Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Agra.
Local Transport : Un-metered taxis, jeeps and auto-rickshaws.
