Karnimata
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 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.
Other Pilgrimage Places
»
Shrinathji Temple, Nathdwara
»
Jain Temple, Ranakpur
»
Brahma Temple, Pushkar
»
Govind Devji Temple, Jaipur
»
Karnimata Temple, Deshnok
»
Shri Ramdev Temple, Ramdev
»
Dilwara Temple, Mount Abu
»
Rishabdevji Temple, Dhulev
»
Prashvanath Temple, Nakoda
»
Eklingji Temple, Udaipur
»
Shri Mahavirji Temple
»
Dargah Sharif, Ajmer
»
Other Important Places of Pilgrimage
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