Karni Mata Temple Religious Site

Address: Karni Mata Temple, Deshnok, Bikaner District, Rajasthan 334803, India

Hours: Open daily; main darshan hours 5am-10pm (hours can vary during festivals).

Admission: Free entry; donations accepted. Certain special darshan events may attract large crowds and local offerings.

Karni Mata Temple is a Hindu shrine located in the village of Deshnok, in Rajasthan, northern India, and is closely associated with the local deity Karni Mata. The temple is renowned for the large population of rats that inhabit the complex and are considered sacred.

The inner sanctum houses the principal image and is the focal point for worship and darshan. Many thousands of rats, locally called kabbas, roam the marble floors and are given priority by devotees; seeing the rats is a distinctive part of a visit.

The shrine traces its religious association to the figure Karni Mata and has been developed and maintained by her followers over centuries. The present complex contains marble work and silvered entrances added during later renovations by patronage from regional rulers and devotees.

The temple stands in Deshnok in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, in northwestern India, and is accessible from nearby towns and cities by road.

• Rats (kabbas): Thousands of rats live freely inside the temple complex and are regarded as sacred; they are often fed by visitors and temple staff.
• Visitor etiquette: Visitors are expected to follow local customs such as removing shoes before entering inner areas and may queue for darshan during peak hours and festivals.

Deshnok is about 30 km south of Bikaner (Rajasthan). Buses and taxis run from Bikaner; the temple is a short walk from Deshnok town centre.

• Visit in the early morning or late evening to see the temple without overwhelming crowds-midday on festival days is packed.
• Bring small offerings or sweets rather than food that could attract pests; temple traditions discourage feeding the rats by hand for hygiene reasons.
• Follow local customs: avoid loud photography during rituals and accept guidance from temple attendants if shown where to stand.