Karni Mata temple, at Deshnok near Bikaner in Rajasthan, is famous the world over as the rat temple, where thousands of black rats, the kabas, live and are worshipped as sacred.
Your darshan is free. The temple honours Karni Mata, a revered form of the Goddess, and the rats are believed to be her devotees. You walk barefoot inside among the rats, which is the whole experience. There is no official online booking, so you simply visit during the temple hours.
Free darshan
- Your darshan of Karni Mata is free and open to all.
- You go in barefoot, as at any temple, and here you walk among the sacred rats.
- On both Navratris the temple holds a fair and the crowds are large, so reach early.
Because the darshan is free, you do not pay anyone for a Karni Mata "special darshan."
The sacred rats, in plain words
The rats, called kabas, are the heart of a visit. Thousands live in the temple, fed and cared for, and pilgrims treat them with love, not fear. It is a blessing to have a rat run over your feet, and a rare white rat is seen as especially lucky. You share your prasad with them, and you take great care not to step on one, which is why you walk slowly and barefoot. If the idea troubles you, the courtyard and the beautiful silver gates are still worth the trip.
Timings, in plain words
The temple opens early in the morning and stays open through the day into the evening, with the aartis at set times. The exact hours shift a little through the year, so check locally before you go. The early morning and the evening aarti are the best times to visit, when the temple is at its most alive.
Best time to visit
You can visit all year, though the Rajasthan summer is very hot, so the cooler months from about October to March are the most comfortable. The two Navratri fairs, in spring and autumn, are the biggest times, when pilgrims fill Deshnok. If you visit during a fair, reach early and be ready for a crowd.
How to reach
Deshnok is about thirty kilometres from Bikaner in Rajasthan. The nearest airport and major railway are at Bikaner, and Deshnok has its own small railway station. You reach the temple by road from Bikaner in under an hour, so most travellers make it a half day trip from the city, often on the way to or from Jaisalmer or Jodhpur.
What to carry
Carry a photo identity and modest dress. You must remove your shoes before you enter, and many visitors keep socks on inside, so carry a pair you do not mind. Carry a little cash for prasad and offerings. Keep small children close, and watch your step, because the floor is alive with rats.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Your biggest mistake would be paying someone for a "special darshan," when the darshan is free. Next, do not come in the peak summer heat if you can avoid it. Do not step quickly or carelessly inside, because you must not harm a rat. Do not miss the fine silver and marble gates, which are a work of art in their own right.
Questions people ask
Is Karni Mata darshan free?
Yes, your darshan is free and open to all.
Why is it called the rat temple?
Thousands of sacred rats, the kabas, live in the temple and are worshipped as devotees of Karni Mata.
Is it safe and clean?
The temple cares for the rats and pilgrims visit in large numbers. You walk barefoot, so keep socks if you prefer, and wash after your visit.
Is there an official booking website?
We could not confirm one. Darshan is free, so you simply visit during the temple hours.
How do I reach Deshnok?
By road from Bikaner, about thirty kilometres, in under an hour.