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TEMPLE · RAJASTHANKarni Mata
The famous "rat temple" of Deshnok near Bikaner, where thousands of sacred rats are revered as blessings.
The temple of the sacred rats
Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok, some 30 km south of Bikaner in Rajasthan, is one of India’s most unusual and famous shrines, dedicated to Karni Mata, worshipped as an incarnation of the goddess Durga.
It is known the world over as the “rat temple”, home to thousands of sacred rats called kabas that scurry freely through the marble halls and are cared for and revered by devotees; spotting a rare white rat is considered especially auspicious.
Behind its ornate silver doors and marble facade lies a place of deep local devotion, easily reached from Bikaner and often paired with that city’s forts and palaces on a Rajasthan trip.
The ornate marble facade of the Karni Mata rat temple at Deshnok.
Reasons to make the time
Sacred rats
Thousands of revered kabas roam the halls.
Silver doors
Ornate silver gates and a marble facade.
Deep devotion
A goddess worshipped as a form of Durga.
Near Bikaner
Easily paired with the city's forts and palaces.
Top sights in Karni Mata
Photos via Wikimedia Commons
How to spend an hour or two
Visit the rat temple
See the sacred kabas and the silver doors.
Look for the white rat
Spotting one is considered very auspicious.
See Junagarh Fort
Tour Bikaner's superb unconquered fort.
Visit the palaces
See Lalgarh and Laxmi Niwas palaces.
Add a Jain temple
Visit the painted Bhandasar Jain temple.
When to go
The most comfortable weather for this desert region.
Cooler and a little greener, with rare rain.
Fierce desert heat makes daytime visits hard.
🦶 Shoes are removed at the temple and the floor is shared with the rats — go barefoot or in socks and tread carefully.
Timings & entry
- The temple opens early and stays busy through the day.
- Footwear comes off at the gate, as at any temple.
Getting there
By Air
Bikaner and Jodhpur are the nearest airports.
By Rail
Deshnok has a station; Bikaner is the main railhead.
By Road
About 490 km from Ahmedabad; 30 km south of Bikaner.
Know before you go
Karni Mata FAQ
Why is Karni Mata Temple famous?
It is the famous "rat temple" of Deshnok, where thousands of sacred rats, the kabas, are revered; the temple honours Karni Mata, a form of Durga.
Where is the rat temple?
At Deshnok, about 30 km south of Bikaner in Rajasthan.
Are the rats really sacred?
Yes, the kabas are revered as blessings, and glimpsing a rare white rat is considered especially auspicious.
How far is it from Gujarat?
About 490 km from Ahmedabad, reachable via Bikaner by road or rail.
Can I combine it with Bikaner?
Yes, it pairs naturally with Bikaner's Junagarh Fort and heritage palaces.
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