Deshnok, a small town near Nokha
60 km from district headquarters in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Significance:
Held in the honor of the deity
Karni Mata, worshipped by the royal family of Bikaner.
Time of Celebration
Twice a year for 10 days during
Navratras, from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi (from
1st day of the lunar month to the 10th day of the lunar month,
according to the Hindu calendar) and Ashvin Shukla Ekam to Ashwin
Shukla Dashmi (from 1st day of the lunar month to the 10th day of
the lunar month, according to the Hindu calendar), which usually
falls in March or April and September or October, respectively.
Karni Mata led an ascetic life and dedicated
herself to the service of the poor and downtrodden and is believed to
possess supernatural powers. She laid the foundation of Deshnok and her
main followers are 'Charans'. The royal fam ily of Bikaner worship her
as the benefactor deity. Made of marble and stone, Karni Mata Temple s
also known as Madh and houses image of Karni Mata adorned with a tiara
accompanied by the images of her sisters. It is customary for the
Rajputs to bring their children on 'jadula' (the first time when the
head of the child is clean shaven). People offer their prayers to the
Goddess and ask for her blessings.
It is surprising to see the large number of brown rats living in the
temple. People offer food to them and they are considered auspicious. It
is said that spotting the white rat living in the temple grounds, is a
very good omen and is believed to be lucky by the devotees.
