Rajasthan's land is replete with miracles and stories of faith. Among these miraculous places is the Karni Mata Temple, located in the town of Deshnok, Bikaner, which is world-renowned not only for its religious significance but also for the presence of thousands of rats.
Who was Karni Mata? A simple explanation
Karni Mata is considered an incarnation of Goddess Durga. It is said that she appeared in Rajasthan in the 14th century and performed many miracles during her lifetime. She helped people, supported the helpless, and worked to spread goodness in society. She is also considered the Kuldevi (family deity) of the royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur, worshipped for generations. Her life was filled with devotion, service, and sacrifice.
It is believed that on Chaitra Shukla Navami of Samvat 1595, Karni Mata relinquished her earthly body, attaining Jyotirlinga. Afterward, her temple was built in Deshnok village, where millions of devotees still worship her. This temple of Karni Mata is also very famous because of the rats, among which white rats are considered especially auspicious.
Why are the rats worshipped?
The most striking feature of the Karni Mata Temple is the approximately 25,000 rats residing there, reverently called "Kabas." They are treated with the same respect as deities. These rats freely roam every corner of the temple, eat offerings, come near devotees, but never bite or harm anyone. Even the temple offerings are first presented to these rats before being distributed as prasad among the devotees.
According to religious belief, the son of a devotee of Karni Mata died. When the Mata prayed to Yama (the god of death) to revive the child, Yama granted him rebirth as a rat. Thereafter, Karni Mata decreed that her devotees would be reborn as rats in this temple after death. This is why these rats are worshipped with reverence.
Why is seeing a white rat considered auspicious?
While thousands of rats in the Karni Mata Temple are black, a very small number of white rats are also seen. These white rats are considered very sacred and special. It is believed that these rats represent Karni Mata and her family. It is said that if a devotee sees a white rat in the temple, it is a very auspicious sign. It is believed that all the devotee's desires will soon be fulfilled. Therefore, devotees consider the sight of a white rat a symbol of good fortune and divine grace.
The marvelous features of the Karni Mata Temple
The Karni Mata Temple is built according to Rajputana architecture, making it exquisitely beautiful and grand. The main entrance and pillars of the temple are adorned with beautiful white marble carvings that captivate any devotee. The temple doors are made of silver, and depict stories from the life of Goddess Karni Mata, reminding visitors of her life and miracles.
The temple was initially constructed by Raja Jai Singh of Bikaner. Later, during the reign of Maharaja Ganga Singh, it was expanded and given its present magnificent form. In 1999, Kundan Lal Verma of Hyderabad also constructed and beautifully renovated a part of the temple. This is why the temple is considered exceptionally special not only religiously but also architecturally.
The Karni Mata Temple: A mystery for scientists
Thousands of rats live in the Karni Mata Temple, yet there are never any reports of disease or infection. This is quite astonishing to scientists. Ordinarily, where so many rats are present, there is an increased risk of dirt, stench, and disease, but the atmosphere in this temple remains exceptionally clean and serene.
The rats here also do not harm anyone and are of a very calm nature. Scientists have conducted numerous studies to understand this mystery, but have not yet been able to comprehend why there are no health problems despite the presence of so many rats. This place remains an unsolved mystery for science to this day.
Information on Darshan and travel to the temple
The Karni Mata Temple is located in the town of Deshnok, in Bikaner district, Rajasthan. It is about 30 kilometers from Bikaner city. To reach there, taxis, jeeps, or buses are readily available from Bikaner railway station. Also, Deshnok railway station is very close to the temple, making travel by train quite convenient.
There is a constant stream of devotees throughout the year, but special fairs are organized at the temple during Chaitra and Sharad Navratri. During these fairs, thousands of devotees come from all corners of the country for darshan. Rest houses and hotels are available around the temple complex for the accommodation of devotees, making the journey comfortable.
Important points for devotees
While entering the Karni Mata Temple, devotees must take special care not to harm any rats. The rats here are considered part of the worship, so their safety is considered extremely important. If, by mistake, a devotee causes the death of a rat, they must have a silver rat made and offered to the temple as compensation. This tradition reflects the respect and reverence for the rats.
The temple administration has made good arrangements for accommodation and rest houses near the temple complex for the convenience of devotees. Devotees spend their time in an atmosphere of peace and devotion and fill their lives with merit by having darshan of Mata Karni.
The Karni Mata Temple is not only a religious site, but also a miraculous experience that connects devotees to the depths of spirituality, faith, and mystery. The presence of the rats here is considered not a negativity, but a symbol of faith and miracle. The glory of Karni Mata still inspires faith and strength in people's lives. If you ever go to Bikaner, you must visit this temple and experience that miraculous feeling that is difficult to express in words.
