Karni Mata Temple – World Famous Rat Temple in Bikaner
How many quirky places have you visited in India? Does Karni Mata Temple feature in that list? And if you have not visited any yet, you can start your count with a visit to Karni Mata Mandir at Deshnoke in Bikaner, Rajasthan. This is the only rat temple in India – a temple dedicated to rats!
Overcome Your Fear for Rats
Karni Mata Temple is famous for 25,000 black rats and few white rats that live there. The mouse temple pujaris and locals feed the rats and worship them. I am not actually scared of rats but definitely won’t like one crawling over me. I do find the rats cute, especially from a safe distance. Sighting just one rat, or maximum two is okay with me but definitely any number more than that can give me sleepless nights.
Those of you who have enjoyed the Stuart Little movie series surely would like to have a look at the place, no?
When the good folks at Narendra Bhavan arranged a tour for us to visit Karni Mata Temple I couldn’t resist the opportunity. I knew sighting so many rats together, being fed and worshiped is a rare quirky sight. So early morning of 7th Jan 2017 we set off for the temple.
Story of Goddess Karni Mata
Karni Mata’s real name was Ridhubai. She was born on 2nd October 1387 in Suwap, Rajasthan as the 7th child of Mehoji Charan and his wife Deval Devi. When in womb, Ridhubai’s mother dreamed that her child was special.
Goddess Durga in her dreams conveyed to her that the child is an incarnation of Goddess herself. When Ridhubhai was just 6, she cured her relative off of a deadly disease. Since then she was known as Karni.
At a very young age she was married off to a wealthy man – Dipoji Charan of the village of Sathika. However she did not live a conventional married life. She was not interested in worldly affairs; she desired to live a saint’s life.
Mata Karni put forth a proposal to marry her younger sister Gulab, and subsequently processed with it. It is believed she lived for 150 years and remained young and beautiful. Karni Mata ji is worshiped as Goddess of Bikaner and Jodhpur Kingdoms.
Karni mata Rat Temple Bikaner entrance
Legends around Rats of Karni Mata Rat Temple
There are several legends about the origin of worshiping rats in Karni Mandir. Wiki gives a good account of these legends.
Legend 1
One legend has it that Laxman, Mata Karni’s stepson drowned in a pond in Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat Tehsil while he was attempting to drink from it. Karni Mata implored Yama, the god of death, to revive him. Yama eventually relented to Her prayers, permitting Laxman and all of Karni Mata’s male children to be reincarnated as rats. That is why rats are considered holy and revered here.
Legend 2
Another one according to some local folklore is that a 20,000 strong army deserted a nearby battle and came running to Deshnoke. Upon learning the sin of desertion is punishable by death, they sought Karni Mata’s protection. Karnimata spared their lives but turned them into rats, and offered the temple as a future place to stay. The army of soldiers expressed their gratitude and promised to serve Karni Mata evermore.
History of Karni Mata ka Mandir
Karni Devi Temple is 600 years old. Initially it did not have any idols. Maharaj Ganga Singh of Bikaner reconstructed the older version and got its present form in mid 20th century. It has Mughal style architecture.
Temple’s facade is made of marble, so is the interior flooring. At the entrance are huge impressive silver doors. The panels of the door seem to tell stories with various pictorial representations. We could see idol of the Goddess in the inner sanctum.
Worship of Rats in Karni Mata Temple
It was unbelievable! I have read and seen pictures too of rats being fed with milk which always seemed so unreal. Yet seeing right in front of eyes it was unbelievable! Rats eating laddoos, sipping milk from a huge dish and some of the devotees taking a few drops of that same milk as prasaad…
I felt I was in a different world. I lost count of how many I saw. May be 500, definitely more than that, the figure can’t be lesser! The Pied Piper of Hamelin must have led all the rats here I thought!
The rats were all over the place, some busy eating, some sleeping, some scurrying here to there, some crawling up on each other, some on devotees. See one here: Faces of India – 300. Neither the rats seemed scared of humans nor were the humans scared of rats. At one place they were being fed rotis (Indian flat breads). I saw one of them nibbling a piece of coconut.
The general surroundings aren’t dirty, but it isn’t too clean either. Efforts to keep the floors clean were evident. Floors were damp which indicated they were washed.
Tickets and Timings:
Open on all days 5 AM to 10 PM.
No tickets required to enter Karnimata Temple.
How to Reach Karnimata Rat Temple Bikaner
Nearest airport: Jodhpur International Airport. Distance from Jodhpur to Bikaner – 251 km.
Nearest railway station: Lalgarh Junction (LGH) and Bikaner Junction (BKN) – distance 30 km
Bikaner is well connected with all the major cities by road. You can take public transport or hire a cab.
Travel Tips for Rat Temple in Bikaner
- Try and reach temple early as it soon begins to get crowded.
- Photography is allowed in Mata Karni Mandir.
- Leave footwear outside. You can wear socks inside the temple.
- Spotting a white rat is considered lucky; your wishes will get fulfilled.
- A rat coming under your foot is considered unlucky. (It is said if a rat dies under your feet it is a sin and for as an act of penance you have to make an idol of rat in gold.)
- Visit the Sree Karni Museum nearby after you have toured the famous Rat Temple of India. Karni Museum is open from 8 AM to 7 PM.
- There are small shops within the complex that sell souvenirs and prasad related to this temple.
Places to stay in Bikaner
Hotels in Bakaner can be found from budget range to luxury hotels. Check Narendra Bhawan in Bikaner for a comfortable and classy stay experience.
Other temples to see in Bikaner are: Bheruji Temple, Bhanda Shah Temple
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This is one of the most interesting temples in the world… This truly shows the extent people can go in the name of religion
Fabulous – the stories behind the rats at this Mandir. I enjoyed seeing your photos although I know people who would scream with terror. I find rats very cute.
What an interesting place! 25,000 rats that they worship? I would have never imagined that. Good thing I like rats! I certainly wouldn’t mind visiting there sometime in the future. I wonder if the population will increase before I make it.
It makes me lift my feet off the ground reading this post! A Rat Temple is something you have to see to belive – 25,000 rats is so many! It must be good luck to see one of the few white ones. The story of Karni Mata living a 150 years and not aging is very interesting.
amazing and i really don’t know in reality in rajasthan has these kind of temple there are large amount of rat really nice and unknown knowledge…. once in lifetime i’ll go there thanks for sharing these kind of article its really unknown… thanks a lot…….!
OMG! These rats look so cute. I also want to see them in real. I have also heard about Karni Mata Temple but never been there. Hope will visit this beautiful place soon.
Wow! That is interesting. Like some here, one or two rats are cute to me, but I don’t know how I’d handle it if I saw hundreds of rats! But what I learn from this is to treat animals, even rats, should be treated with respect, whether they are worshipped or not.
As someone who runs screaming when I see a rat cross my path, I am both impressed and humbled to read about your experience at Karni Mata Temple. Thank you for the new perspective on these little creatures; so neat to see them held with respect and care (the total opposite of how they’re thought of here)!
A temple full of rats? Wow, that’s really interesting. I am a bit scary though, but sounds like an experience you’ll never forget!
You really really weren’t freaked out?
No David. 🙂
India means everything. 🙂 nice post.
I had read about this temple. It must be dream destination of all the rats 🙂
Nicely narrated, loved reading it.
I had read about this temple. It must be dream destination of all the rats of 🙂
Nicely narrated, loved reading it.
This is one and unique! But, honestly, I don’t like rats… :/
Beautifully narrated and informative . The story of Karni mata is interesting . The same but not big like this Karni Mata temple is in Udaipur , I think you would love to visit there .
I have heard about this place from my father..Good to see the photographs..but the rats are really scary.
Have heard of this Temple. Enjoyed reading your narration.
Wow, that’s crazy! I didn’t know there was such a temple. That picture of the rats drinking milk it really cool and slightly scary, to be honest. Worth sharing!
I must need to appeal to the goddess as rats often invade our attic. Perhaps I’ll get the chance to make an offering at the temple one day and they’ll leave my home alone!
This is indeed a unique temple. Though the rats are creepy. The temple is an ode to the faith and belief of the people. Something unique to Indian culture which believes in and respects all forms of living beings.
Saw an episode about this temple in Discovery Channel. Very very interesting place. I hope I can visit this place someday. It would be a great experience I guess
Never heard of this temple before. I don’t think I wouldbe too comfortable with so many rats around. I love the myths on how there are too many rats on the temple
Quirky indeed. Our motherland is one amazing place! Great post Indrani.
I still can’t believe there is a temple for rats there! What do rats do for us? 😉 But its amazing to see and still want to check oit out when I get to that part of India 🙂
Oh my, I don’t know if I can get inside the temple. Maybe I would just take photos from the outside LOL
This is the rat temple I watched on BBC feature some years ago… It is quite interesting that this part of the world deems rats sacred. I know some provinces in the Philippines that worship animals and trees but not specifically rats. I am not sure if I can go to this place, I am scared of rats but also I am really intrigued by the faith of the people here, esp the old man who is in charge of all the rat feeding and “maintenance”… so maybe I could.
Waaah, never in a million years I would go in there, although the temple itself looks gorgeous. Rats out, me in or no chance at all 🙂 I could not get over my fear, well it’s not fear, I am disgusted by rats and mice also. Not my cup of tea.
First time I’m seeing a photo of rats drinking milk! They look so behaved! Thanks for sharing this!
OMG! I don’t know if I can visit your place. I even don’t know if I can call the place beautiful because I just hate rats! It’s just so gross for me. I didn’t know there’s a rat temple. I can’t believe it!
I would definitely be keeping my socks on! What a fascinating place – but to me it sounds like a bit of a nightmare come true!
What? Make an idol of rat in gold? I probably will never be able to bring myself to go to this Temple. I’m scared of rats. And I don’t want to risk bad luck too if ever I accidentally step on them. LOL.
Oh my… I’ve never been fond of rats or any creepy crawlies, ever. I mean, I respect your culture and beliefs, but no matter what angle I see it from, I’ll never be unafraid of rats. This would be such a challenge for me.
Oh hey. I watched about this on documentary TV. First of all, rats are disgusting. In fact, I do not want to have anything to do with rats. But then again, as I learned, they are every bit important to us too, not directly but they are a part of the balance of nature.
So, it was an eye opener for me to watch the documentary and today, reading your post. Good one. As for worshipping rats? Ummm… it makes for a nice tourist destination today.
OH WOW! This would definitely challenge me to overcome my fear of rats. I’ll be honest, I don’t really like squirrels that much! Ha. But it looks like such an interesting and beautiful place. Thanks for sharing 🙂
WOW … this really does remind me of the Pied Piper of Hamlyn … what a unique and truly different place to visit. I’ve never heard of worshipping rats … I’ll admit that they’re not my favorite animal if I had to choose … but it would be interesting and fascinating to visit and see how they have become a cultural icon of the temple.
I really don’t know if I could get over my fear of rats or not by visiting the Karni Mata Temple. It does look like a beautiful place to see however. Perhaps I can admire it from the outside? 🙂
Wow…. I had no idea anything like this existed! More power to you, as I do not think I could do this. I’m also not sure that I could walk through a temple with rats without shoes on. Looks like a fascinating experience. I’ll sit back and enjoy your pics, as I don’t know that I could do this!
Earlier too I’ve seen couple of documentaries on Karni Mata Mandir but never got a chance in life to visit the place (to be precise Bikaner) that too when my roots are linked to Rajasthan. Hoping for the best for my future.
The temple architecture is so classic and beautiful! Very nicely photographed.
The rats have found many safe places in India, the ones i know belong to lord Ganesha. The temple history surprised me!
TC and keep smiling 🙂
I am not sure if I liked this place or I did not…still have mixed feelings about it. My daughter for sure hated it.
Omg,am scared to. Step there now
this would have creeped me out. I have never heard of a rat temple but i think it is so awesome. I will be very terrified if i was around so many rats though
Oh Gosh! It’s crazy but fascinate tale legends of Karni Mata is made of. Of course, the pictures are something.
What a fascinating read about the rat temples. It truly does sound crazy…lol..and quite unique. I can’t believe you saw over 500 rats….did it smell? I’m glad to be reading about your experience. I’m not sure I’d have the courage to visit the temple!!
I would really like to go there! I am not scared of rats either. In fact, since seeing Ratatouille, I think they are kind of cute. And it’s interesting to me that no one is exactly sure why rats are worshiped at this temple.
Oh wow. I don’t know if I could this, but it’s fascinating to learn about! I never knew a white rat symbolized good luck! Great post.
Oh bloody hell I can’t decide if this is a place of dreams or nightmares! I’m kind of like you – quite fond of rodents when there’s just one or two… But this many?! Eeek! I’m tentatively planning a trip to Rajasthan for later this year or next, as I fell in love with it last time and missed out on a lot, so I’ll have to see about visiting here!
OMG! Don’t really know how I would feel in this temple. I’m far from being afraid of rats, but they are so many!! I guess if the opportunity arises I also would check it out. Did you were lucky and saw a white rat?
Absolutely, things unbelievable right there! I’m quite scare of rats and could never be comfortable visiting there. The stories relevant to the temple were interesting. I liked the façade of the temple and architecture details!
I’ve already heard about Karni Mata Temple and the rats. Would love to visit the temple. I’m definitely not afraid of rats… so, I guess I’d be ok 🙂 Love your pic where the rats are drinking in the bowl! So cute! 🙂
Oh my god. A temple full of rats?? I am certaintly open minded to new and different experiences, but I didn’t even know this was a thing! Thankfully, I am not scared of rats so will look forward to this unique adventure someday.
WHAT?! I had no idea there was a rat temple! They look so cute… and yet so… ratty. Fascinating details, like the fact that it’s 600 years old.
Oh my god rats?! Umm I think I’ll have to pass on this one 🙂
Ahh this is so crazy! I don’t know if I could do it lol but it is a really unique experience – one i’ve never heard of anywhere else!
I’ve heard so much about Karni Mata Temple since school days! I’m glad that you got to go there and sad that I still haven’t been there!!!
I have never visited India, let alone quirky places like this! Karni Mata Temple is something truly unique, although I’ll be honest I really don’t know if I could cope with that many rats in one area, no matter how much they are worshipped!
Yeah India can be shocking, I’m not surprised! I had so many adventures in India. Our bus got broken in a jungle, we got stuck for 8 hours on a small fisherman boat in the middle of the ocean… I love all animals and I also like rats. Why do we love rabbits and squirrels but hate mice and rats? I’d love to see this temple!