PM Modi Visits Karni Mata Temple and Inaugurates Key Railway Projects in Rajasthan

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Karni Mata Temple located in Deshnok, Bikaner district. This temple, often referred to as the 'Temple of Rats', is dedicated to Karni Mata, who is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. During his trip to Bikaner, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the revamped Deshnok railway station. He flagged off the Bikaner-Mumbai Express train from Deshnok, significantly enhancing passenger rail connectivity in the region.

Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the Churu-Sadulpur railway line (58 km) and announced the electrification of several railway lines, including Suratgarh-Phalodi (336 km), Phulera-Degana (109 km), Udaipur-Himmatnagar (210 km), Phalodi-Jaisalmer (157 km), and Samdari-Barmer (129 km). He dedicated welfare projects worth ₹26,000 crores to the nation. Ajmer's Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma noted that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 103 revamped railway stations were inaugurated today. Various welfare schemes worth ₹26,000 crores will be launched in Rajasthan today, for which I express my gratitude to PM Modi.

The Karni Mata Temple is renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for housing thousands of rats. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, believed to be a form of Goddess Durga, and legend has it that she transformed her stepson and his descendants into rats. Located near the Bikaner border, this temple serves as a major pilgrimage site, especially for followers of Charani Sagtis. Its prominence increased after the partition, which limited access to the revered Hinglaj Mata Temple located in present-day Pakistan.

Commonly known as the 'Temple of Rats', it is home to over 25,000 rats, considered sacred and affectionately referred to as 'Kaba', believed to be the spiritual children 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. To continue her lineage, she married her younger sister Gulab and dedicated herself to religious service and helping others.