Rajasthan is a state of many wonders. If its forts, palaces, and lakes are well known, its unique temples also draw visitors in hordes. We present here some amazing facts about Karni Mata temple in Bikaner. The Shree Karni Mataji temple is located in Deshnok village of the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, India. It is a much-revered temple and an enduring symbol of faith for the thousands of devotees that throng it every day.

The temple is also referred to as the rat temple, though it is dedicated to Karni Mata. Here are some interesting facts about the Karni Mata rat temple, Karni Mata temple history, information about how to reach the temple, temple timings, and more.

15 Amazing Facts About Karni Mata Temple In Bikaner

The Shree Karni Mataji Temple is unique and the only one of its kind in the world. In many ways, the temple is a symbol of man-animal coexistence and harmony. The temple where rats roam freely and unhindered may seem bizarre to some, but for some, there is a rationale behind what they say and this is hemmed by a strong belief in the deity who presides over the temple, Shree Karni Mataji. We take a look at some of the facts and legends that surround the temple and contribute to its enduring aura and popularity.

Facts About Karni Mata Temple In Bikaner | Karni Mata Story

Before we delve into the amazing facts about Karni Mata Temple in Bikaner, it is imperative to get an understanding of Karni Mata herself, Karni Mata’s history, and why the rats in the temple are so revered. The story of Karni Mata is that of a saint and a warrior woman who lived sometime in the 15th or 16th century. According to local legend, Shree Karni Mata is believed to have lived for 151 years after which she disappeared in the vicinity of where the Karni Mata temple in Bikaner stands today.

Karni Mata lead the life of an ascetic and was highly respected during her lifetime. The royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur considered her their advisor and presiding deity. Rao Joda, the founder of Jodhpur is also believed to have consulted her on various matters. In fact, the foundation stone for the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur was laid by Karni Mata.

Karni Mata was worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga during her lifetime itself and performed many miracles. Many temples were built for her including one dating back to the 15th century in Mathania near Jodhpur.

15 Incredible Facts About Karni Mata Temple Bikaner

Here are some of the incredible facts about Karni Mata Temple, Karni Mata, and the rats that can be found in the temple. These facts are sure to amaze you and make you look at the temple with new light.

1. The Karni Mata temple which is seen today was built by Maharajah Ganga Singh in the early 20th century.

2. The temple is believed to have over 25,000 rats which are also known as, “Kabbas.”

3. The offerings that have been partially eaten by the rats are considered sacred.

4. An amazing fact is that in spite of the thousands of rats scampering inside the Karni Mata Temple, and even the food is shared by locals with the rats, there has never been a reported incident of plague or any other sickness.

5. One legend has it that the thousands of rats that inhabit the temple were soldiers who deserted and fled the battlefield, they faced death as punishment, but owing to the benevolence of Karni Mata, were spared and lived as rats in the temple.

6. Another legend has it that Karni Mata’s son named Lakshman fell dead after drinking water from a well. Karni Mata beseeched the God of Death Yama to revive him. Yama agreed with the condition that Karni Mata and her descendants would reincarnate as rats.

7. A rare sight is the spotting of a white rat amidst the thousands of black rats, it is believed that the white rat is a manifestation of Karni Mata herself, and lucky is the person who spots a white rat in the temple.

8. It is remarkable that thousands of rats live inside the Karni Mata temple, but they do not step out of the main door of the temple.

9. Even if a single rat is accidentally killed in the Karni Mata Temple, it is said that it must be replaced with a rat of similar size, made of solid Gold.

10. The foundation of the old Bikaner Fort that existed before the Junagarh Fort was built was laid by Karni Mata.

11. The foundation stone of the famous Mehrangarh Fort built by Rao Joda was also laid by Karni Mata.

12. A fair is held at the Karni Mata temple twice a year during Navratri, once during March or April and again during September or October.

13. There are many temples that are dedicated to Karni Mata in the state of Rajasthan, but the one in Deshnok is the only one with rats.

14. The endangered black buck of Rajasthan which is sacred by the Bishnoi tribe who consider it to be a reincarnation of their religious Guru Jambeshwar, is also believed to be under the protection of Karni Mata.

15. The Karni Mata Temple has marble facades and doors of solid silver, and lion sculptures flank the entrance to the temple.

Images of Karni Mata Temple Bikaner | Rat Temple Photos

This is a collage of the Karni Mata Temple Bikaner which is also known as the Rat temple in India.

How To Get To Karni Mata Bikaner Temple

We are sure after reading about the incredible facts about Karni Mata temple in Bikaner, you would be planning a visit to this unique and amazing temple in Rajasthan. Here is how to get to the Karni Mata temple near Bikaner, Rajasthan.

• The Karni Mata temple is located in Deshnok, Bikaner district of Rajasthan
• Karni Mata temple is located at a distance of about 30 kilometres from Bikaner
• The Deshnok Karni Mata temple is located at a distance of about 363 kilometres from Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan
• Karni Mata temple is located about 252 kilometres from the city of Jodhpur
• The nearest airport to the Karni Mata Temple is the Bikaner airport at a distance of about 15 kilometres

If you are planning a visit to Bikaner, you can book your flight tickets right here through Cleartrip or Makemytrip or CheapAir or Priceline and fly to Bikaner or Jodhpur. If you are thinking of a road trip, do check out the rental car and bus options.

Where To Stay When Visiting Karni Mata Ji Mandir In Deshnok Bikaner

For visiting the Karni Mata temple, you can stay at Bikaner which offers many options in terms of accommodation. This includes luxury resorts, heritage hotels, luxury hotels, and budget hotels. We stayed at the heritage resort, Gajner Palace during our visit. Gaj Kesri is another heritage hotel to stay in Bikaner. You can book Hotel Gajner Palace or Hotel Gaj Kesri any of these hotels or any other hotel in Bikaner, or anywhere in Rajasthan or across India right here.

You can book your stay at Hotel Gajner Palace or Hotel Gaj Kesri or any other hotel or resort in Bikaner or anywhere in India right here.

You can book Hotels in Bikaner or any destination right here through any of the options here –  TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  makemytrip or  goibibo or  Booking.com or  HotelsCombined or  Agoda and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.

We are sure you are amazed by the Karni Mata temple facts and liked reading our post. If you want more details, you can read our detailed post which is a complete guide to visiting the Karni Mata temple and includes information about things you need to know before you visit the Rat Temple.

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Sandy & Vyjay are a husband and wife duo who are travel content creators. They are co-founders of this travel website and are one of the leading travel content creators in India.

Sandy & Vyjay quit their successful corporate careers to pursue their passion for travel and writing full-time. Their dedication has earned them the “Best Travel Writer” award and numerous accolades on both national and international stages. Focusing on India’s destinations, heritage, and culture, they are passionate advocates for nature and the environment. Through their content, they promote ecotourism and sustainable travel, inspiring others to explore and preserve the beauty of India.