Karni Devi Mandir is a famous Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the protective Mother Goddess. The temple is located in Deshnoke, 30 km south of Bikaner. It was built around 1530 CE and has been expanded by the devotees over the centuries. The temple is also known as the "Temple of Rats" because it is home to thousands of black rats, called kābā, which are considered holy and sacred by the followers of Karni Mata. 

The rats are fed and cared for by the devotees and visitors, who also seek their blessings and fortune. The white rats are especially revered as they are thought to be the incarnations of Karni Mata and her sons. 

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for the Charan community, who claim to be the lineage of Karni Mata. It is also a tourist attraction for people from all over the world who come to witness the unique sight of thousands of rats roaming freely in the temple complex. The temple has a Rajput style of architecture with a marble facade and silver doors. The inner sanctum has a murti (idol) of Karni Mata holding a trident in her hand. The temple also has a museum that displays paintings, photographs and articles related to Karni Mata and her miracles.

The temple is open from 4 am to 10 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but donations are accepted. Visitors are advised to wear covered shoes and avoid stepping on or harming any rat. They are also encouraged to eat the food offered by the rats as it is considered auspicious and lucky.

The Karni Devi Mandir is a remarkable example of the diversity and richness of Hinduism and its respect for all forms of life. It is a place where faith, devotion and wonder coexist in harmony.

Karni Devi Mandir (करणी माता मंदिर) is a splendid Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India. It is dedicated to Karni Mata (करणी माता), who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Durga (दुर्गा), the protective Mother Goddess. The temple is located in Deshnoke (देशनोक), 30 km south of Bikaner (बीकानेर). It was built around 1530 CE and has been expanded by the devotees over the centuries.

The temple is also known as the "Temple of Rats" because it is home to thousands of black rats, called kābā (काबा), which are considered holy and sacred by the followers of Karni Mata. The rats are fed and cared for by the devotees and visitors, who also seek their blessings and fortune. The white rats are especially revered as they are thought to be the incarnations of Karni Mata and her sons.

The legend behind the temple is that Karni Mata was a Hindu warrior sage who lived in the 14th century. She was married to her husband's younger sister, who had four sons. One day, the youngest son Lakshman (लक्ष्मण) drowned in a pond while bathing. Karni Mata brought his body to the temple and asked the god of death, Yamraj (यमराज), to revive him. 

Yamraj refused, saying that it would disrupt the cycle of rebirth. Karni Mata then declared that her family would not die anymore, but would be reborn as rats and live with her in the temple. She also said that when a rat dies, it would be reborn as a human again. Thus, the rats are seen as the descendants of Karni Mata and her family.

The temple has a Rajput style of architecture with a marble facade and silver doors. The inner sanctum has a murti (idol) of Karni Mata holding a trident in her hand. The temple also has a museum that displays paintings, photographs and articles related to Karni Mata and her miracles.

The temple is open from 4 am to 10 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but donations are accepted. Visitors are advised to wear covered shoes and avoid stepping on or harming any rat. They are also encouraged to eat the prasad (प्रसाद) offered by the rats as it is considered auspicious and lucky.

The temple is a popular pilgrimage site for the Charan (चरण) community, who claim to be the lineage of Karni Mata. It is also a tourist attraction for people from all over the world who come to witness this astonishing sight of thousands of rats roaming freely in the temple complex.

Karni Devi Mandir kaise jayen (How to reach Karni Devi Temple) this famous Hindu temple in Rajasthan, India. The temple is located in Deshnoke (देशनोक), 30 km south of Bikaner (बीकानेर). There are different ways to reach the temple depending on your starting point and mode of transport.

- By Air: The nearest airport to the temple is Jodhpur Airport (जोधपुर हवाई अड्डा), which is about 250 km away. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Bikaner and then another bus or taxi to Deshnoke. Alternatively, you can also fly to Jaipur Airport (जयपुर हवाई अड्डा), which is about 330 km away, and then follow the same route as above.

- By Train: The nearest railway station to the temple is Bikaner Junction (बीकानेर जंक्शन), which is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, etc. From there, you can take a local train, a bus or a taxi to Deshnoke. The temple is about 2 km from Deshnoke Railway Station (देशनोक रेलवे स्टेशन).

- By Road: The temple is easily accessible by road from Bikaner and other nearby towns. You can take a state-run or private bus, a taxi or your own vehicle to reach the temple. The temple is located on the Bikaner-Jodhpur Highway (NH 62) and has a signboard indicating its direction.

The temple is open from 4 am to 10 pm every day. There is no entry fee for visiting the temple, but donations are accepted. Visitors are advised to wear covered shoes and avoid stepping on or harming any rat. They are also encouraged to eat the prasad (प्रसाद) offered by the rats as it is considered auspicious and lucky.

The Karni Devi Mandir is a remarkable example of the diversity and richness of Hinduism and its respect for all forms of life. It is a place where faith, devotion and wonder coexist in harmony.

"Karniji ka mandir ek chamatkarik aur anokha sthan hai jahan chuhe aur devta ek sath rehte hain." ("Karniji's temple is a miraculous and unique place where rats and gods live together.") - A devotee