Karni Mata Temple

Karni Mata Temple: Recently, the Prime Minister made a visit to the Karni Mata Temple situated in Deshnok, a town located around 30 kilometers from Bikaner in Rajasthan.

• About Karni Mata Temple: A revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Karni Mata, a 14th-century warrior sage known for her asceticism and spiritual impact.

o Karni Mata was highly respected by locals and invited by the Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner to lay foundation stones for Mehrangarh and Bikaner Forts.

o She is worshipped as a manifestation of Goddess Durga by her followers.

o The Deshnok temple is the most famous among several dedicated to her, famously called the “Temple of Rats” due to the presence of about 25,000 rats, known as kabbas, that live and are worshipped there.

o White rats in the temple are especially revered, believed to be the reincarnations of Karni Mata and her sons.

o The current temple structure was built in the early 1900s under Maharaja Ganga Singh’s patronage.

o The temple features classic Rajputana architecture blended with Mughal influences, evident in its arched doorways.

o Its exterior is richly adorned with marble.

o The main entrance includes newly added doors made entirely of solid silver.