About Karni Mata Temple
The Karni Mata Temple stands in the small town of Deshnoke, about 30 km south of Bikaner in Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, a woman sage of the Charan community who lived around the 14th and 15th centuries and is worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. She is the kuldevi, or family goddess, of the former royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur. The temple is known across the world for its thousands of black rats, called kabbas, which live freely in the shrine and are fed and protected by devotees.
Tradition says Karni Mata spent much of her long life at Deshnoke and blessed the founding of both Bikaner and Jodhpur. A well-known legend explains the rats: when a young boy of her family drowned, Karni Mata asked Yama, the god of death, to return him to life. When Yama refused, she declared that members of her clan would no longer go to Yama but would be reborn as rats in her temple, and later be born again into the clan. For this reason the rats are treated as family members. The present temple was built in the early 20th century under Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner.
The temple has a white marble facade with carved panels and a large gateway. Its main doors are covered with sheets of silver embossed with images, added in later decades. In the inner courtyard, rats run across the floor and drink from large bowls of milk placed for them. Seeing one of the rare white rats, believed to be forms of Karni Mata and her sons, is considered especially lucky. The sanctum holds the image of the goddess, carrying a trident.
Karni Mata Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from very early morning (about 4:00 AM) to around 10:00 PM. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Mangla aarti | Early morning, around opening time (approx.) |
| Sandhya aarti | Around sunset (approx.) |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Karni Mata Temple
By air
Bikaner (Nal) Airport is about 45 km away; Jodhpur Airport is about 220 km away.
By train
Deshnoke has a small railway station close to the temple; Bikaner Junction, about 30 km away, has much better connections.
By road
Deshnoke lies on the Bikaner–Nagaur highway. Buses and taxis run regularly from Bikaner.
Festivals at Karni Mata Temple
- Chaitra Navratri fairMar/Apr
- Sharad (Ashvin) Navratri fairSep/Oct
- DiwaliOct/Nov
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Modest clothing is recommended. Footwear must be removed at the entrance, as in all temples.
- Entry
- Free entry; a small camera fee may apply.
- Footwear is not allowed; many visitors wear socks, which is generally permitted.
- Walk slowly and shuffle your feet so you do not step on the rats; harming one is considered very inauspicious.
- Food that a rat has touched is regarded as blessed prasad by devotees, but you are not obliged to eat it.
- Visit in the early morning or evening to avoid the desert heat, especially from April to June.
- Combine the visit with a day in Bikaner, which has forts and palaces worth seeing.
Places to visit near Karni Mata Temple
- Junagarh Fort, BikanerGrand fort of the Bikaner rulers, about 32 km away
- Bhandasar Jain Temple, BikanerPainted 15th-century Jain temple, about 32 km away
- Lalgarh Palace, BikanerRed sandstone palace of Maharaja Ganga Singh, about 34 km away
- National Research Centre on CamelCamel breeding farm and museum near Bikaner, about 35 km away
Frequently asked questions
Why are there rats in Karni Mata Temple?
According to tradition, Karni Mata ordained that members of her clan would be reborn as rats in her temple instead of going to Yama. Devotees therefore treat the rats as sacred.
What are the Karni Mata Temple timings?
The temple usually opens before dawn and stays open until late evening. Check locally, as hours can change on festival days.
How far is Karni Mata Temple from Bikaner?
Deshnoke is about 30 km south of Bikaner, a drive of under an hour by road.
Is it lucky to see a white rat at Karni Mata Temple?
Yes, devotees believe the few white rats are forms of Karni Mata and her sons, and seeing one is considered a special blessing.
What is the aarti time at Karni Mata Temple?
Mangla aarti: Early morning, around opening time (approx.); Sandhya aarti: Around sunset (approx.). Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Karni Mata Temple?
Modest clothing is recommended. Footwear must be removed at the entrance, as in all temples.
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