Who is Karni Mata
In the small town of Deshnok, about 30 kilometres from Bikaner in western Rajasthan, stands a temple unlike any other in India. Devotees know it simply as the Karni Mata Mandir, home to thousands of rats that are fed, protected and revered as sacred.
Karni Mata is worshipped as an incarnation of Durga, the Divine Mother in her fierce and compassionate form. Born into the Charan community, she is remembered as a saint whose life was marked by miracles, deep devotion and protection of the weak. For the royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur, and for countless devotees across Rajasthan, she is not a myth but a living presence still felt in this temple.
The Katha of the Sacred Kabas
According to tradition, Karni Mata's stepson Laxman drowned while trying to drink water from a pond. Grief-stricken, she is said to have gone to Yama, the god of death, and pleaded for his life. When Yama explained that a soul once taken could not simply return, Karni Mata, in her power as the Mother Goddess, declared that from then on, members of her family would not go to Yama's abode after death. Instead they would be reborn as kabas, the sacred rats of this temple, until their next human birth.
This is why the rats at Deshnok are treated not as pests but as ancestors and family, cared for with milk, grain and sweets every single day.
Significance and the White Kaba
Devotees believe that a glimpse of the rare white kaba among the thousands of dark ones is an especially auspicious sign, a direct blessing of the Mother. Eating prasad that has been touched or nibbled by the kabas is considered a mark of grace, and pilgrims walk barefoot through the marble temple floor without fear, trusting fully in the goddess's protection.
Families come here to pray for the well-being of children, protection from difficulties, and success in new beginnings. As with all worship of the Divine Mother, devotees hold that Karni Mata blesses out of love, and it is faith rather than fear that draws them to her feet.
Darshan Guide and Festivals
The temple follows the general pattern of Rajasthan's Devi shrines, opening early in the morning for mangala darshan and closing in the late evening, with aartis performed at fixed hours through the day. Mornings are considered the most peaceful time to visit, before the crowds build up.
The temple comes alive during the Navratri fairs of Chaitra (spring) and Ashwin (autumn), when lakhs of devotees travel from across Rajasthan and beyond. During these days, the temple and the town are decorated, and continuous queues of pilgrims move through for darshan.
How to Reach Deshnok
Deshnok is a small town in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, well connected by road. The town has its own railway station on the Bikaner line, making it easy to reach by train. The nearest airport is at Bikaner, from where the temple is a short drive away.
Many pilgrims combine a visit to Karni Mata Temple with the famous Bikaner city, known for its forts, havelis and sweets, making it a comfortable one or two day pilgrimage trip.
Mantra to Chant and the Takeaway
Devotees often chant a simple invocation at Karni Mata's feet:
"Jai Karni Mata, jag janani, sankat harta, bhakt tarini" Meaning: "Victory to Mother Karni, mother of the world, remover of troubles, saviour of devotees."
The story of Deshnok reminds devotees that the Divine Mother's compassion knows no limits, extending even to the smallest of creatures. Worship here, as everywhere, is an act of faith and love, not a transaction, a reminder that devotion sees the sacred in every form of life.
What People Ask Most
Why are rats worshipped at the Karni Mata Temple?+
Devotees believe that Karni Mata's family members are reborn here as kabas, the sacred rats, before their next human birth, as per the katha of her son Laxman and Yama. Feeding and honouring them is considered a form of devotion to the goddess herself.
Is it considered auspicious to see a white rat at the temple?+
Yes, devotees consider a sighting of the rare white kaba among the thousands of dark rats to be an especially auspicious blessing from the Mother Goddess.
When is the best time to visit Karni Mata Temple?+
Early mornings are peaceful for darshan, while the Navratri fairs of Chaitra and Ashwin see the largest and most vibrant gatherings of devotees.
About the author
Pandit Ravindra Sharma · Vedic Rituals & Bhakti, 22+ years
Pandit Ravindra is the Vandnaa editorial team's resident specialist on aarti, chalisa, and daily devotion. He has performed home and temple pujas across Varanasi and Delhi for over two decades and contributes the bhakti-focused articles on this site.
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