40 Facts About Karni Mata

Karni Mata, known by various names such as Bhagwati, Mehaai, Jagdamba, and Kiniyani is a Hindu Goddess of power and victory described as a warrior sage, who lived between 14th and 16th centuries in Western Rajasthan.

Karni Mata is the tutelary deity of the Charans of northwestern India.

Karni Mata is intimately associated with the establishment of the Rajput hegemony in the region.

Karni Mata lived an ascetic life and was widely revered during her lifetime.

The most famous of the Karni Mata temples is the Karni Mata Temple of Deshnoke where the temple and surrounding Oran land are a sacred sanctuary for all the living beings and no one is to be harmed.

In Rajasthan, Blackbucks are considered sacred as Karni Mata is supposed to protect them.

Karni Mata is attributed with having a close relationship with the Rathore rulers, not only of Bikaner but of Jodhpur.

Karni Mata directed Rao Bika and his associates to work towards this objective, predicting even greater glory and a larger domain for Bika than his illustrious father, Rao Jodha, had won.

Karni Mata received a grant of land from Rai Sankhla, the ruler of Janglu, where he founded a village named Kiniya-ki-Basti and lived there.

Karni Mata was a contemporary of Meha Mangaliya, the ruler of a surrounding region in Jodhpur, from whom Mehaji Kiniya received a grant of a village called "Suwa-Brahman-Ki-Dhani", later renamed to Suwap.

Karni Mata had, in quest of the boon, undertaken the long and arduous journey to Hinglaj in Las Bela of present-day Balochistan province of Pakistan.

Karni Mata requested that Karniji tie a rakhi to him and accept his gifts, as Rajputs and Charanas are considered brothers and sisters by custom.

Karni Mata informed Depaji that he would have to marry another woman for the satisfaction of these needs and to further his line.

Karni Mata ordered her servants to proceed to Janglu and await her arrival and decision about the future course of action.

Karni Mata hadn't forgotten the earlier conflict between his soldiers and the Charans regarding the pasture ground.

Karni Mata fell across the line, vomiting blood and lying dead.

Karni Mata then went to Karniji's camp, and after bowing and respectfully touching Karniji's feet, he sat down.

Karni Mata advised him to approach his stepmother, to accept her terms of serving her as a son in her old age and ascend the throne of Janglu as her adopted son.

Karni Mata strengthened the defences of Janglu and sought advice from Karniji in Deshnoke.

Karni Mata received Randhir who told him of the events transpired.

Karni Mata had 14 sons, with the eldest being Rao Ranmal.

Karni Mata then took over governance of Mewar in the name of Mokal's son, Kumbha, after Mokal Singh's assassination.

Karni Mata left Mandore with as much treasure as he could carry and sought the blessings and advice of the Rathores' patron deity, Shri Karniji.

Karni Mata assured him that by serving Dharma, he would be able to reconquer Mandore.

Karni Mata chose a site five miles away, which had low hills for protection and a view above the adjacent hills and terrain.

Karni Mata proceeded to Deshnoke with his uncles and soldiers and sought blessings for success in their ventures.

Karni Mata was to wait at Chundasar, worshipping the Bhairava idol he carried and not be hasty or covetous like his grandfather Ranmal and await further instructions for the next venture.

Karni Mata explained that Bika was not the heir to Rao Jodha's throne because he had given up his rights of succession to the kingdom, and was now just a wandering prince.

Karni Mata's wife prayed to Karniji for help, as she couldn't bear to see her husband suffer any longer.

Karni Mata performed the Kanyadan ceremony, giving his daughter to the bridegroom Rao Bika.

Karni Mata further declared that she would breathe her last near the Dhineru talai and the boundary pillar between the two kingdoms should be installed at the spot.

Karni Mata was accompanied by her eldest son Punya Raj, charioteer Sarang Vishnoi, a Daroga servant and other attendants.

Karni Mata had Her chariot stopped and asked Punya Raj to arrange water for her bath.

Karni Mata then asked Sarang Vishnoi to look for water in the silver pitcher.

Karni Mata fled to Khinvsar near Nagaur after falling out of favor with Maharana Mokal.

Karni Mata promised him protection from future accidents and mishaps if he continued to lead a pious and good life, stating that God always comes to the rescue of his devotees.

Karni Mata invoked her name and the legend states that Karniji rescued the floundering ship by milking a cow with one hand and saving Jagdu Shah and his people with the other.

Karni Mata narrated to anxious listeners how his ship was saved from a storm by invoking Karniji's name and a lovadi covered arm that guided them to safety.

The temple's inner sanctum consists of foot imprints of Shree Karni Mata which are worshipped.

Karni Mata prayed to Maa Karni from his small boat, and she safely got him to Porbandar port.