Karni Mata Fair

Karni Mata Fair is organized at Deshnok in Bikaner, Rajasthan which is held two times in a year. Fair is organized in the high regard of the goddess Karni Mata, worshipped by the regal family of Bikaner. Deshnok is a small urban settlement near Nokha in Bikaner district. It is believed that the town that was established by Karni Mata, an ascetic who spent her life working towards uplifting of the deprived and exploited communities as she had possessed spiritual powers. She was the founder of Deshnok which is today quite popular for the Karni Mata temple made of stones and marbles which is popularly termed as the rat temple of Deshnok where the large number of rats running across the temple courtyard in groups can be seen.

Today, the followers of Karni Mata worship her as a deity to offer prayers to her and commemorate the fact that her blessings always will sanctify the inhabitants of the town. She was also considered as the patron deity by Charans, as well as the rulers of Bikaner. The temple of Karni at Deshnok is built of stone and marble construction. There is a 75 cm statue of Karni Mata, bejeweled with a mukut (crown) and garlands. It is a ceremonial custom among the Rajputs that they wish to perform their kid's first hair cut (Mundan) at this temple. For getting bless of Mata, the cut hairs of the children are placed at the feet of her statue.

The fair of Karni Mata is celebrated during the period of March to April, which is the occasion of Navratras and the days of the fair are from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The subsequent fair for the next time in same year takes place during the period of September to October. This time is also the period of Navratras, where the fair beings from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi. On the day of the Fair, temple is open to the public as early as 4.00 a.m. in the morning. First of all Aarti and puja are performed by Charan priests called Mangla-ki-aarti and then bhog (Prasad) is offered to the Mata. You would be luckiest person if you will see the brown rats wandering at leisure inside the temple. The rats are believed to be auspicious and are even good luck for devotees. Devotee's offer them milk, grains, and sweets.