Deshnok Temple Bikaner

Deshnok Temple Bikaner is a pilgrim center where rats rule! It is located in a small village called Deshnok which is situated at a distance of 32 km from the south of Bikaner city. Originally the village was known as Dus-nok whose literal meaning is ten corners. The village was created by combining the ten corners taken from ten villages. The temple is also called Karni Mata temple. Karni Mata is the incarnation of Maa Durga, the goddess of power and victory. The history of this temple dates back to the fourteenth century. It is believed that the goddess lived here in the past and performed numerous miracles. According to the legend the rats here are incarnations of the members of the clan of Karni Mata who lived in Deshnok village in the past.

The entrance of the temple gives a sense of venturing into something royal as it has solid silver doors which are very impressive. They were built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. As you move a little further you will see more doors made of silver. Their panels serve as the canvas for displaying the legends of Karni Mata. The shrine houses an ancient image of the goddess. The temple is carved out in marble and its inner walls are embellished with impressive gold and silver work.

The 600 year old temple is a home to around 20,000 rats that are considered holy by the devotees. These little creatures are the main attraction here. They are nicknamed as Kabbasby the people. Apart from milk and prasad (blessed food) the rats enjoy the respect of the devotees. Thousands of devotees from all over the country throng here to pay homage to the goddess and to see the holy rats.

It is said that Deshnok temple is also an abode of the five white rats which are thought holy as it is believed that they are the incarnations of Karni Mata itself. When you come to pay a visit to the temple keep looking for the white rats and if you happen to see one, then consider yourself blessed.

Architecture
The present structure of Karni Mata temple was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji of Bikaner. The temple is in Mughal architectural style and was built in early 20th century. The marble front of the temple with solid silver doors look absolutely stunning. As you walk further, there are more silver doors, portraying the several legends, related to Goddess. In the inner sanctum, the idol of the Goddess has been placed.

Later in the year 1999, additions were made to the temple by the owner of Hyderabad-based Karni Jewelers, Kundanlal Verma. He donated the beautiful marble carvings and silver gates to the temple.

Karni Mata Story
Karni Mata was a lady warrior and a saint believed to have supernatural powers who lived during the 15th and 16th centuries. It is believed that she lived for 151 years and then disappeared not far from where the Deshnok Karni Mata Mandir is located today.

Karni Mata lived an ascetic life and was highly venerated during the course of her lifetime itself. The royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur had her as their presiding deity and would take her advice on various matters. In fact, the foundation stones for the Bikaner Fort which was a small fort that existed before the Junagarh Fort was built and the Mehrangarh fort in Jodhpur was laid by her.

It is said that when Rao Jodha decided to build the Meharangarh Fort atop a hill, he had to confront a powerful hermit named Cheeria Nathji who lived on the hill and refused to budge. Rao Joda sought the help of Karni Mata who came to his aid and asked the hermit to vacate the hill. The hermit acknowledged the superior power of Karni Mata and acquiesced.

Rao Joda thought it appropriate and auspicious to have the foundation stone laid by Karni Mata. Karni Mata is believed to have performed several miracles and was worshipped as a divine incarnation in her lifetime itself with temples being built for her worship. The oldest temple that was dedicated to her was built in the 15th century in a village called Mathania near Jodhpur by Amaraji Charan.

How to reach karni mata temple
You can reach Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok via three options, road and by air. If you are travelling via air then you would need to get down at the Bikaner airport and travel 30.5 km southwards. You can easily avail taxis to reach the destination. If you are travelling by your own vehicle, on the road, then you would want to travel on NH 89 to reach the temple.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Bikaner about 30 km away. It is well connected to cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur, Allahabad, etc.

Best time to visit the temple
Karni Mata Temple is a must visit for devotees at least twice every year, once in the month(s) of March/April, during Navratri and second during the month(s) of September/October, again during Navratri. Karni Mata fair is held during these periods, which is attended by thousands of devotees.