It is a half-yearly Fair, organized by the natives of Deshnok, the town that was established by Karni Mata, to offer prayers to her and celebrate the fact that her blessings always will bless the inhabitants of the town. Charans, sect of people are staunch followers of Karni Mata and gather in the Fair without fail.
Karni Mata
Karni Mata was an ascetic who practiced self-denial as a spiritual practice. She was a saint-like persona to all the down-trodden and poor as she righteously worked towards their enlistment and Rights.
It is popularly believed that Karni Mata possessed supernatural powers. She is worshipped like a goddess in this district and places nearby.
Karni Mata was an ascetic who practiced self-denial as a spiritual practice. She was a saint-like persona to all the down-trodden and poor as she righteously worked towards their enlistment and Rights.
It is popularly believed that Karni Mata possessed supernatural powers. She is worshipped like a goddess in this district and places nearby.
When is Karni Mata Fair held?
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year, in the Deshnok region of Bikaner district. The first Fair is a larger one held during the months of March-April. This period corresponds to Navratras and the month of Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi according to Hindu calendar.
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year, in the Deshnok region of Bikaner district. The first Fair is a larger one held during the months of March-April. This period corresponds to Navratras and the month of Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi according to Hindu calendar.
The second Fair is held during September-October, again during the Navratras from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.
Celebration:
At the by-annual, half-yearly Fair of Karni Mata, it is a common practice of people bringing their child for the first Mundan (Hair-cut), in this town a place them below Mata’s feet for blessings. On the day of the Fair, the temple opens at 4.00 am in the morning, which is followed by Aarti and puja performed by Charan priests called Mangla-ki-aarti and then offer bhog (Prasad) to the Mata.
The rats in the temple are considered auspicious and devotees coming to the temple make offerings to them. These offerings are generally in form of milk, grains, and sweets. Two kinds of offerings, the 'dwar-bhent' is made to the priests and the workers. The 'kalash-bhent' is not consumed at that moment but kept for the temple maintenance and development.
Karni Mata temple:
The Karni Mata temple situated in Deshnok is made of stones and marbles. This temple is popularly termed as “Madh”. Inside the temple there is an idol of Karni Mata of about 75 cms. This image of Mata is decorated with garlands and Mukut.Her image that is placed in the temple is not a single image, it is accompanied by the images of her sisters.
One of the peculiar features of the temple is the large number of rats running across the temple courtyard in groups.
How to reach Deshnok?
The town of Deshnok is believed to be built by Karni Mata and people from across the nearby towns and devotees from far-fetched towns gather to worship her during this Fair. Deshnok is a very small-town, located 32 Kms south of Bikaner, on the road to Jodhpur.
The famous Karni Mata temple is situated 30 Kms from the city of Bikaner.
Celebration:
At the by-annual, half-yearly Fair of Karni Mata, it is a common practice of people bringing their child for the first Mundan (Hair-cut), in this town a place them below Mata’s feet for blessings. On the day of the Fair, the temple opens at 4.00 am in the morning, which is followed by Aarti and puja performed by Charan priests called Mangla-ki-aarti and then offer bhog (Prasad) to the Mata.
The rats in the temple are considered auspicious and devotees coming to the temple make offerings to them. These offerings are generally in form of milk, grains, and sweets. Two kinds of offerings, the 'dwar-bhent' is made to the priests and the workers. The 'kalash-bhent' is not consumed at that moment but kept for the temple maintenance and development.
Karni Mata temple:
The Karni Mata temple situated in Deshnok is made of stones and marbles. This temple is popularly termed as “Madh”. Inside the temple there is an idol of Karni Mata of about 75 cms. This image of Mata is decorated with garlands and Mukut.Her image that is placed in the temple is not a single image, it is accompanied by the images of her sisters.
One of the peculiar features of the temple is the large number of rats running across the temple courtyard in groups.
How to reach Deshnok?
The town of Deshnok is believed to be built by Karni Mata and people from across the nearby towns and devotees from far-fetched towns gather to worship her during this Fair. Deshnok is a very small-town, located 32 Kms south of Bikaner, on the road to Jodhpur.
The famous Karni Mata temple is situated 30 Kms from the city of Bikaner.
