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Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok, a small
town near Nokha in Bikaner district. The first
and larger fair is held in March-April during the Navratras from Chaitra
Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair is held in
September- October, also during the Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla Ekam to
Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.
Karni Mata was an ascetic who led a righteous life dedicated to the
service and upliftment of the poor and downtrodden of all communities. It
is believed that she possessed supernatural powers. The foundation of
Deshnok was laid by her and she has been worshipped as a goddess by her
principal followers, 'Charans', as well as the rulers of Bikaner, who
regarded her as the patron deity. The Karni Mata Fair is held in her
honour.
The Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok is a stone and marble structure and is
also known as Madh. Inside the shrine, a 75 cms. image of Karni Mata
adorned with a 'mukut' (tiara) and garlands is installed. Her image is
accompanied by the images of her sisters and the sisters of Avad Mata. The
Rajputs bring their children on 'jadula' (their first hair cut) and place
them at the deity's feet for blessings. Most of the people come to the
shrine from Bikaner, Hanumangarh, Ganganagar
and Churu Districts.
WORSHIP & RITUALS
The temple is thrown open to the public early in the morning at 4.00 am.
Charan priests perform Mangla -Ki-Aarti and offer 'bhog' (special food) as
worship.
A peculiar characteristic of the temple is the legion of brown rats
roaming about in large numbers in the temple. They are considered to be
auspicious and the devotees make offerings to these rats. Two kinds of
offerings are made to Karni Mata. The 'Dwar Bhent' is distributed to the
priests and the workers. The 'Kalash Bhent' is utilised for the temple
maintenance and development.
During the Karni Mata Fair in Chaitra, (March- April) special buses and trains carry the pilgrims to Deshnok. It is connected by rail and road with Bikaner, Nagaur, Jodhpur and Jaipur and regular buses ply on these routes.