Prime Minister Modi Visits Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan
PM Modi's Visit to Rajasthan
On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Karni Mata Temple located in Deshnok, Bikaner district, Rajasthan. This marks his first trip to Rajasthan following the attacks on terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) on May 7. During this visit, he will inaugurate 103 Amrit stations across the country, including the newly developed Deshnok railway station under the Amrit Bharat scheme. Additionally, he is set to address a large public gathering in Palana village near Bikaner.
Worship at the Karni Mata Temple
At the renowned Karni Mata Temple, often referred to as the 'Temple of Rats', PM Modi offered his prayers. This temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is considered an incarnation of Goddess Durga. During his visit to Bikaner, he also inaugurated the revamped Deshnok railway station and flagged off the Bikaner-Mumbai Express train, enhancing passenger rail connectivity in the region.
About Karni Mata Temple
The Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok is famous not only for its spiritual significance but also for the thousands of rats that reside there, which are revered and affectionately called 'kaba'. According to legend, Karni Mata transformed her step-son and his descendants into rats. Located near the Bikaner border, this temple has become a major pilgrimage site for followers of the Charan community, especially after the partition, which limited access to the revered Hinglaj Mata temple in present-day Pakistan.
The Legend of Karni Mata
According to religious beliefs, Karni Mata was born in 1387 as Righubai in a Charan family. After marrying Depaji Charan from Sathika village, she renounced worldly life to pursue a spiritual path. She arranged for her younger sister Gulab to marry her husband to continue the family lineage, dedicating herself to religious service and helping others. Her selfless devotion earned her the name Karni Mata. The temple still houses the spot where she once worshipped her deity. It is believed she lived for 151 years, and after her passing, devotees established her idol in the temple, which became a sacred site for worship.
Significance of the White Rat
It is also considered auspicious to spot a white rat in the temple. Legend has it that Karni Mata's step-son, Lakshman, drowned in Kapil Sarovar. Following this, she pleaded with Yama, the god of death and justice, to revive him. Moved by her devotion, Yama restored Lakshman's life, but in the form of a rat. Since then, it is believed that after death, the descendants of Karni Mata are reincarnated as rats and return to reside in the temple.