Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok The
Karni Mata temple, 30 kms from Bikaner, is dedicated to an early
fifteenth century mystic who was considered to be a reincarnation of
goddess Durga. |

The Karni Mata temple, 30 kms from Bikaner, is dedicated to an early
fifteenth century mystic who was considered to be a reincarnation of goddess
Durga.
The specially of the temple is that it is inhabited by
legions of brown rats which scurry around the complex without aby fear. The
rats are believed to be respositories of the souls of dead charans, the
traditional bards.
Devotees offer milk, grains and sweets to
these rats during the time to aarti. There are so many rats on the floor
that people have to watch where they step. Sighting a while mouse is
considered auspicious. It is believed that the Maharaja of Bikaner had a
vision in which the goddess asked him to protect the rats and for this
reason, there is bronze wiremesh across the temple.
Bikaner's
ruler Ganga Singh had the whole temple built in marble. The domes of the
temple are made of silver and gold. The manadap and the panels above the
image are also golden. Devotees place offerings in silver and gold when
their prayers are answered.
The elaborate works on the main gate
of the temple is a tribute to the fine craftsmanship of the artisans of
those days. On the occasion of Navratri, this temple hosts a fair which
attracts hordes of pilgrims from places far the near.
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