Karni Mata Temple
Popularly known as the Karni Mata Mandir, this temple is the most called upon tourist attraction in Bikaner. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who the locals believe is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the protective Mother Goddess in the Hindu religion.
Karni Mata was a Hindu warrior sage from the Charan caste, who lived in the fourteenth century. Living the life of an ascetic, Karni Mata was highly revered by the locals and earned many followers too. Having received requests from the Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner, she even laid the foundation stones of the Mehrangarh and Bikaner Forts. Although there are many temples dedicated to her, this temple in the town of Deshnoke at a distance of 30 kilometers from Bikaner is the mostly widely recognized.
The Karni Mata Mandir in Bikaner is popular not for its location or architecture, but for being home to over 25,000 rats that inhabit and freely meander around the temple complex. These creatures can be seen emerging out of crevices in the walls and floors, often passing over the feet of the visitors and devotees. Consuming food items that have been nibbled on by these rats is regarded as a holy practice here.
People from different corners of India and abroad come to witness this astounding spectacle and also bring milk, sweets, and other offerings for these sacred beings. Out of all the rats, white rats are held specifically sacred as they are believed to be the incarnations of Karni Mata and her sons.
Visitors put in enormous efforts to draw them out often through offering of sweets. However, hurting or killing a rat, even by mistake, is a serious sin in this temple. People perpetrating this crime will have to replace the dead rat with one made of gold, as penance.
History of Karni Mata Temple
The legend states that the stepson of Karni Mata or may be the son of one of her devotees, Laxman, was trying to drink water from Kapil Sarovar and drowned. Karni Mata pleaded with Yama, the god of death, to recuperate him. After declining her plea initially, he agreed and allowed all the sons of Karni Mata including Laxman to be born again as rats.
There is another local folklore the presence of rats in Karni Mata temple. This story states that around 20,000 soldiers deserted a battle and came to Deshnok to save themselves. When Karni Mata came to know about their sin of deserting their work, she got extremely angry. However, later, she spared their lives and offered them a stay in the temple in the form of rats. They happily agreed with gratitude.
If a rat dies in the temple, its place is taken by a rat made from silver. Rats are given Prasad to eat and milk to drink by the devotees.
Architecture of Karni Mata Temple
The present structure of the Karni Mata temple was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji of Bikaner. The temple is in Mughal architectural style and was built in the early 20th century. The marble front of the temple with solid silver doors looks stunning. As you walk further, there are more silver doors, portraying several legends, related to Goddesses. 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.
