Last updated: October 2026 · Method: built from published site information and recurring traveller reports; figures approximate — verify on site.
The Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, 30 km south, shelters thousands of revered rats (kabas) — it is a serious pilgrimage first and a curiosity second, and visiting it right means keeping that order.
Etiquette that matters
- Shoes off: you walk where the kabas run ; socks or barefoot; watch every step deliberately.
- Never harm or startle: feeding happens at fixed spots; a white-sighting is considered fortunate.
- Photography: allowed in the courtyard, discouraged at the feeding bowls ; read the room, ask when unsure.
The story: the kabas are held to be reincarnated storyteller clan members ; the legends guide keeps it in tradition’s frame.
Planning notes
Bikaner runs on a seasonal clock: the cooler months carry the crowds and the fuller calendars, while the hot afternoons reward early starts and long lunches. Build this stop around one unhurried hour rather than a quick photo, and let the season decide the hour of day.
On the ground
- Timing: daylight hours suit most visits; confirm the day’s opening window locally, since published hours drift with the season.
- Costs: any entry sits in the nominal range for the city — small notes at the counter settle it (published fee lists here on the site carry current ranges).
- Getting there: an auto or app cab covers the hop from the centre in minutes; walking works in the cooler months.
Keep in mind: specifics shift faster than guides update — treat this page as the frame and recent reviews as the fine print.