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 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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