Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, Bikaner district, Rajasthan, on May 22, 2025, as part of his ongoing outreach and infrastructural development initiatives in the state. The Karni Mata Temple, often famously referred to as the ‘Temple of Rats’, is a unique spiritual destination in India, known for housing thousands of sacred rats that roam freely and are revered by devotees.

The visit comes in the midst of significant developments in the region under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, a nationwide initiative focused on modernizing India’s railway stations with improved passenger amenities, connectivity, and sustainability.

PM Modi's Spiritual Visit to Karni Mata Temple

The Karni Mata Temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Karni Mata’s stepson drowned and she implored Yama, the god of death, to restore his life. Yama complied, but reincarnated him and his descendants as rats, leading to the temple’s unique distinction of being home to more than 25,000 sacred rats, known locally as kābā.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi offered prayers, seeking blessings and interacting with devotees. The sighting of a white rat during a visit is considered highly auspicious, and the temple remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, especially the Charan community.

Karni Mata, originally Righubai, was born in 1387 in a Charan family. She is remembered for her ascetic lifestyle, devotion, and selfless service. After distancing herself from worldly attachments, she dedicated her life to spiritual pursuits, installing her sister as her husband's wife to continue the family line. Her life of over 151 years is deeply venerated, and the site where she worshipped is preserved within the temple precincts.

Inauguration of the Redeveloped Deshnoke Railway Station

Following the temple visit, PM Modi inaugurated the Deshnoke railway station, which has undergone a revamp under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This transformation is expected to improve passenger amenities, enhance safety, and offer a modern, clean, and accessible railway experience for travelers.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop over 1,300 stations across India in phases. At Deshnoke, the renovation included:

• Modernized platforms and passenger facilities

• Upgraded waiting lounges and restrooms

• Digital signage and improved accessibility features

• Energy-efficient infrastructure

PM Modi emphasized the government’s commitment to infrastructure growth, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, which are integral to connecting rural areas with urban development centers.

Flagging off the Bikaner-Mumbai Express Train

A major highlight of the visit was the inauguration of the Bikaner-Mumbai Express train. The new express train service connects Bikaner in Rajasthan to Mumbai, boosting connectivity between North-Western India and the commercial capital. This move is expected to benefit:

• Tourism, by facilitating easier access to spiritual and cultural sites like Karni Mata Temple

• Trade and commerce, especially for regional industries and artisans

• Employment and migration, by linking employment hubs in Maharashtra with labor markets in Rajasthan

The new train is equipped with modern coaches, and the schedule aims to cater to both daily commuters and long-distance travelers. PM Modi hailed it as a “new chapter in rail connectivity,” marking the beginning of stronger regional ties between Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

Karni Mata Temple: Spiritual Legacy and Cultural Impact

The Karni Mata Temple is more than a religious site — it is a symbol of enduring faith, devotion, and cultural legacy. Constructed in the 15th century, the temple stands out for its Mughal-style marble façade, silver gates, and elaborate carvings.

The rats, considered reincarnated devotees, are fed by pilgrims and are protected at all costs. Walking barefoot around the temple is a mark of respect and faith. Devotees from across India, especially from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, travel annually to pay homage.

Since the Partition of India, which led to the severing of pilgrimage routes to Hinglaj Mata Temple in present-day Pakistan, the prominence of Karni Mata Temple increased manifold, becoming a central pilgrimage point in the subcontinent for Shakti worshippers.

Political Significance and Regional Development Push

This visit is also seen as politically significant, coming just months before potential assembly elections in Rajasthan. PM Modi’s focus on cultural landmarks, coupled with infrastructure development, reflects a strategy to blend heritage tourism with modernization.

The revamped Deshnoke station is expected to drive local development, attract tourists, and generate employment in the hospitality and transportation sectors.

The Bikaner-Mumbai train will also cater to migrant workers, many of whom travel frequently between Rajasthan and Maharashtra for employment opportunities.

Cultural and Religious Tourism Boost

With this visit, the government is also looking to promote religious tourism in Rajasthan. The Ministry of Tourism has been working to include destinations like Karni Mata Temple, Pushkar, Ajmer Sharif, and Mount Abu into integrated religious tourism circuits, which will be further enhanced by rail and road development.

PM Modi’s visit is expected to revitalize interest in the unique folklore and history of Karni Mata, and improve infrastructure to support increasing footfall.

Conclusion:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Karni Mata Temple, inauguration of the Deshnoke station, and the launch of the Bikaner-Mumbai Express mark a significant convergence of faith, infrastructure, and regional development. The event highlights the government's dual commitment to preserving India's rich cultural heritage while pushing forward with modernization and connectivity.

As Rajasthan gears up for an influx of pilgrims, tourists, and railway commuters, this visit could well shape the region's economic and cultural roadmap for the future.

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