Excursions to the sacred Karni Mata Temple from Bikaner give you the perfect opportunity to enjoy historic Bikaner steeped in religious sagas and interesting legends.
Karni Mata is the official deity of Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. According to local legends, faiths and beliefs, Karni Mata is the goddesses who blessed Rao Bika and made it possible for him to create a flourishing kingdom and a military bastion in the midst of a waterless barren desert.
Situated at Deshnoke, a desert settlement, the Karni Mata Temple is located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. The local people staunchly believe that the souls of Karni Mata's devotees become rats.
As legend goes Karni Mata was an incarnation of the Goddess Durga. During her lifetime one of her devotees died and she made all attempts to bring him back to life. The Hindu lord of death, Yama told her that her devotee couldn't come back to life as he had taken birth as a rat. From then on Karni Mata secured a promise from Yama that incase of death her devotees would be reincarnated as rats till they could be reborn as humans again. Thus the respect and reverence shown to rodents at this ancient temple with massive silver gates.
The marble floored temple is embellished with gold and silver décor that was a contribution from Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner. See devotees and pilgrims make offerings to more than 20,000 odd rats that make the Karni Mata Temple their home.
Karni Mata Temple
Kalibangan
Devi Kund
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