Karni Mata Temple – Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple, located in the town of Deshnok near Bikaner in Rajasthan, is one of the most mystical and unique temples in India. Revered for its sacred rats and deep-rooted spiritual history, this temple attracts thousands of devotees and curious tourists every year. Built over 600 years ago, the temple stands as a blend of faith, folklore, and architectural grandeur, making it a must-visit spiritual destination in the desert state.

Temple About:

Karni Mata Temple is a sacred shrine dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple is famous for its thousands of black rats that are worshipped as incarnations of Karni Mata's devotees.

Temple Description:

The temple features stunning Mughal-Rajput architecture with marble carvings, silver gates, and intricately designed domes. It is maintained by the Charan community and considered one of the holiest temples in Rajasthan.

Temple Specialty:

Home to over 25,000 sacred black rats

White rat sightings are considered lucky

The temple is active throughout the day with devotees feeding and protecting the rats

Temple Address:

Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok, Bikaner, Rajasthan – 334801, India

Temple Location (Latitude & Longitude):

27.7906° N, 73.3329° E

Temple Timings:

Daily: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Temple Sevas:

Daily aartis and rituals

Special pujas during Navratri

Prasad offerings and donation services

Traveling Facilities:

Accessible by road, rail, and air

Local transport like autos, taxis, and buses available

Food Facilities:

Simple vegetarian food from nearby dhabas

Prasadam available in the temple

Stay Facilities:

Lodges, guest houses, and hotels in Deshnok and Bikaner

Dharamshalas for pilgrims

Nearby Railway Station:

Deshnok Railway Station (~1 km)

Bikaner Junction (~30 km)

Nearby Airport:

Nal Airport (Bikaner) – 20 km

Jodhpur Airport – 250 km

Nearby Bus Station:

Deshnok Bus Stand

Bikaner Central Bus Station

Bus Routes to Temple:

RSRTC buses from major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Delhi

Frequent local buses from Bikaner

Train Routes to Temple:

Direct trains to Deshnok and Bikaner

Major trains: Bikaner Express, Ranakpur Express

Air Ways to Temple:

Flights to Bikaner and Jodhpur from Delhi, Jaipur, etc.

Nearby Cities to Temple:

Bikaner

Jodhpur

Jaipur

Nagaur

Ajmer

Nearby Visiting Temples & Places:

Junagarh Fort

Lalgarh Palace

National Research Centre on Camel

Rampuria Havelis

Gajner Palace

Shiv Bari Temple

Preferable Visiting Season:

October to March (cool and pleasant weather)

Shopping Famous For:

Bikaneri Bhujia, sweets

Handicrafts, camel leather goods

Kundan jewelry, Rajasthani paintings

Karni Mata Temple is not just a spiritual destination it is an extraordinary symbol of faith, tradition, and curiosity. The sight of worshipped rats coexisting with devotees in harmony, coupled with the temple’s historical and architectural richness, makes this an unforgettable experience. Whether you're a pilgrim or a cultural explorer, Karni Mata Temple is a must-visit jewel of Rajasthan.