Deshnoke
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General Information
Other Name: -, District: Bikaner, State: Rajasthan, India
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: English, Hindi, Rajasthani
Long Distance Code: 0151
Importance: Rat Temple
Best Time to Visit: October to March and -
International Access: Nearest Airport is Jodhpur
Description
The Karni Mata Temple in DESHNOKE, 30km south of Bikaner, is one of India’s more bizarre attractions. Step inside the Italian-marble arched doorway and everywhere you’ll see free-roaming rats, known as kabas, which devotees believe are reincarnated souls saved from the wrath of Yama, the god of death. The innermost shrine, made of rough stone and logs cut from sacred jal trees, houses the yellow-marble image of Karniji. This in turn is encased by a much grander marble building. Pilgrims bring offerings for the rats to eat inside the main shrine, and it’s considered auspicious to eat the leftovers after they’ve been nibbled by the kabas. Some pilgrims spend hours searching for a glimpse of the temple’s venerated white rat, while it’s also considered fortunate for a rat to run over your feet (stand still for a while – preferably next to some food), but whatever you do don’t step on one, or you’ll have to donate a gold model of a rat to placate the deity. Shoes have to be removed at the gate, leaving you to wander among the rat droppings barefoot or in your socks.Location
Deshnoke is a small town in the Bikaner district of Rajasthan, which is located about 30 kms from Bikaner.Climate
Nestled in the foot hills of the Aravalli Mountain Range, a Tour to Rajasthan is considered to be a definite must include if you are planning a tour itinerary to India. The land of the Rajputs, the entirety of the province of Rajasthan is resplendent in its rich and varied culture, a culture that has been influenced to a large extent by the varied topography of Rajasthan which has also influenced the Climate of Rajasthan. Influencing several theories on the Best Time to Visit Rajasthan, the climate of Rajasthan can be divided into four basic sub divisions which are: -Summers -Monsoon -Post-Monsoons -Winters Summers which are hot and dry is considered to be the hottest period in Rajasthan with the temperature rising to almost as high as 45 degrees Celsius at its highest. The hill station of Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, however, remains a blessed exception in this mercurial madness with temperatures at this important tourist destination of Rajasthan hovering around comfortable lows. The period between the months of July to September sees the mercury dropping to a more moderate temperature, with a comparatively higher level of humidity which is to set the stage for the next season or the monsoons, when the tourist attraction of Rajasthan reaches an all time high. The monsoons make this already beautiful province prettier than ever by adding their cool moisture to the hot, golden sands of the Thar Desert, which adds an even greater incentive in planning a trip to Rajasthan during this period. Perhaps, one of the most pleasant times to visit Rajasthan, the winters in Rajasthan stretch between the months of December to March. January is seen to be the coolest month of the year, which often sees a temperature drop that is as drastic as 0 degrees Celsius.