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 Introduction to Karnimata Temple, Deshnok:
The Karnimata Temple in Deshnok, one of the venerated religious places in Rajasthan, is located at a distance of about 30 kms from the charming and vibrant Rajasthan city of Bikaner. The temple is dedicated to a fifteenth century mystic who was believed to be the reincarnation of goddess Durga. One remarkable fact about Deshnok’s Karnimata Temple is that it is infested with end number of rats that scurry about the temple complex. Indianholiday.com is an indispensable e-travelogue that provides you with all you wanted to know on Deshnok’s Karnimata Temple.
History of Karnimata Temple, Deshnok:
Deshnok’s Karnimata Temple is the only claim to fame of the small desert town of Deshnok. Karni Mata was held in great reverence by the local people who were mostly bards. Karni was born at the Suvap village and was married off to Depa. The foundation of Deshnok is credited to Karni Mata. Karni won the hearts of the inhabitants of Deshnok by her efforts to uplift and serve the downtrodden and the marginalized in a selfless way. If the legends are to be given any credence, then there is reason to believe that Karni Mata laid the foundation stones of the Jodhpur and Bikaner forts. The sanctum sanctorum of the Karnimata Temple, it is believed by many, was founded by Karni herself.
Description of Karnimata Temple, Deshnok:
The construction of the temple was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the early 20thcentury. The temple is entirely built of marble and the domes are made of silver and gold. The exquisitely sculpted marble paneling will captivate your attention the moment you step into the temple. The intricate patterns testify to the excellent and skilled workmanship of the artisans. The image of Karnimata is a cross between Goddess Durga and a normal woman. The image portrays her as slaying the demon but does not depict her with eighteen hands. The main image is flanked by smaller statues that also corroborate the superior skills of the artisans. The rats are allowed free movement within the temple. It is widely believed that Ganga Singh saw a vision in which he was instructed by Karni Mata to protect the rats. This resulted in the building of bronze wire mesh across the temple. Devotees feed the rats with milk, grains and sweets and during the time of aarti. It might interest one to know that the rats are considered to be the repositories of the souls of the dead charans or the bards.
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