About Deshnok Karni Mata
Temple
Deshnok is a village 30km south of Bikaner along the Jodhpur road. A
visit to Deshnok's fascinating temple of Karni Mata, an incarnation of
Durga, is not far for squeamish. Here the holy rodents are considered to
be incarnations of the storytellers, and run riot over the temple
complex.
Karni Mata lived in the 14th century and performed many miracles during
her life-time. When her youngest son, Lakhan, drowned, Karni Mata
ordered Yama, the god of Death, to bring him back to life. Yama replied
that he was unable to do this, but that Karni Mata, is an incarnation of
Durga, could restore Lakhan's life. This she did, and decreed that
members of her family would no longer die, but would be incarnated as
kabas (rats), and these kabas would returns as members of her
family. There are around 600 families in Deshnok who claim both decent
from Karni Mata and that they will be reincarnated as kabas.
The temple is an important place of pilgrimage, with pilgrims being
disgorged every few minutes from buses. Before the temple, is a
beautiful marble facade with solid silver doors donated by Maharaja Gaj
Singh. Across the doorway to the inner sanctum are the repousse
(raised relief) silver doors - one panel shows the goddess with her holy
charges at her feet. An image of goddess is enshrined in the sanctum.
There are special holes around the temple courtyard to fascinate the
rats' movements, and a wire grille has been placed over the courtyard to
prevent the birds of prey and other predators consuming the holy
rodents.
It is considered quite auspicious to have a kaba run across
your feet. White kabas are quite rare, albeit there are one or
two at the temple and sightseeing one augurs well for your spiritual
progress.
Time : 4:00 A.M.- 10:00 P.M.(Daily)
Picture of Deshnok Karni Mata Temple
