India · Monuments

8-Hour Bikaner Fort and Rat Temple Tour with Jodhpur Drop

8 Hours Round trip from Bikaner Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the 16th-century Junagarh Fort and its ornate palaces
02 See traditional textiles and royal portraits at the Prachina Museum
03 Visit the 600-year-old Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok
04 Witness the sacred rats of the famous Rat Temple

Travel through Bikaner in Rajasthan to explore two of the city's most distinctive landmarks. Visit the 16th-century Junagarh Fort, an impressive complex of ornate palaces and halls that houses the Prachina Museum with traditional textiles and royal portraits. Continue to the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, famous for the many rats considered sacred by Hindu devotees. The tour concludes with a drop-off in Jodhpur.

The most exciting thing about the temple is that rats scamper freely within the precincts.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Jodhpur, Bikaner

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Junagarh Fort and Karni Mata Temple Tour

You will be picked up by an English-speaking driver from Bikaner Railway Station, Bus Station, or your hotel in Bikaner.
Head to Junagarh Fort. The fort was erected in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, the illustrious general of the Mughal emperor Akbar's army. The fortress is bounded by a moat and consists of 37 palaces and pavilions, including Chandra Mahal, Phool Mahal, and Karan Mahal. The museum within the fort houses priceless miniature paintings and extraordinary antiques of great interest to art lovers. After that, continue to Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple).
Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple): This famous 600-year-old temple is situated 30 km from Bikaner in Deshnok. It is also known as Karni Mata Temple. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Maharaja Ganga Singh donated the temple's massive carved silver gates. The most exciting thing about the temple is that rats scamper freely within the precincts. They are regarded as sacred and are fed by priests and devotees because they are believed to be reincarnated in the goddess's family. These holy rats are called Kabbas, and many people travel great distances to pay their respects. The temple draws visitors from across the country for blessings, as well as curious tourists from around the world.
After visiting the Rat Temple, you will be dropped off in Jodhpur.