Karni Mata

Karni Mata (Hindi: करणी माता, or Bhagwati Karniji Maharaj), 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 Rajputs and Charans of northwestern India. As a Sagati, she is also worshipped as an incarnation of Hinglaj or Durga. She is the official deity of the royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur. Karniji played an important role in shaping the history of the region. She is intimately associated with the establishment of the Rajput hegemony in the region. With her blessings, Rao Jodha and Rao Bika founded the kingdoms of Jodhpur and Bikaner. At the request of the Maharajas of Bikaner and Jodhpur, she laid the foundations of Bikaner Fort and Mehrangarh Fort, the two most important forts in the region. She lived an ascetic life and was widely revered during her lifetime. Indian Army troops from the Marwar region also regard Karni Mata as their patron deity. In Rajasthan, Blackbucks are considered sacred as Karni Mata is supposed to protect them. Karni Mata is also attributed with having a close relationship with the Rathore rulers, not only of Bikaner but also of Jodhpur. Throughout the history of both states, there are numerous accounts of the deity interceding on behalf of a ruler during times of battle, or in matters of alliance building. As Karni Singh, the last titular Maharaja of Bikaner, noted:"Karniji has always been important for the house of Bikaner. My father was a great devotee of the Goddess, as was his father before him. She has protected every member of this lineage. My wife and I worship her in her temple each day and she continues to watch over us all ... ... the first act of Bika upon entering the territory of the Jangli Desh, was to come to touch the feet of the most revered incarnate deity, Karni Mata ...'" In present times, the Karni Mata temple in Deshnoke has become an important gathering spot for many Charan clans. Her devotees often mention that after the 1947 Partition of India and the subsequent problems in reaching Hinglaj, Karni Mata temple of Deshnoke has become the most important site for the community.

The northern region of Rajasthan, which would later form the kingdom of Bikaner, was divided into small principalities ruled by various Rajput, Muslim, and Jat clans. Rajput clans such as Sankhla, Mohil, and Bhati held significant principalities, while Jat tribes, including the Godara of Ladhdiya and Shekhsar, the Saran of Bhadang, and the Kasava of Sidhmukh, divided the northeast portion of the region. Bhati Muslims known as Ranghad ruled Hissar, and Johiya Muslims controlled most of the present-day Ganganagar district.

Early life

Karniji, named Ridhi Kanwar at birth, was born at the Suwap village on Asoj Shukla 7th of Vikram Samvat 1444 (1387 AD). Her father, Mehaji Kiniya, was the lord of the village and belonged to Kiniya clan of Charanas.

The founder of the Kiniya clan lived at Khod in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat. In the 13th century, Bhimal, 4th generation descendant of the founder, left home and migrated to Janglu region in Northern Rajasthan. He received a grant of land from Rai Sankhla, the ruler of Janglu, where he founded a village named Kiniya-ki-Basti and lived there. Mehaji Kiniya was born four generations later in the lineage of Bhimal. He 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.

Karniji's mother was Deval Bai of Arha (or Adha) clan. Deval Bai was the granddaughter of Arha Mandha, the ruler of Adha (or Asada) village, situated on the border of Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The birth of Karniji was the long-awaited culmination of the prayers and piety of Mehaji Kiniya, the father of Bhagwati Karniji, and a great devotee of Hinglaj. He had, in quest of the boon, undertaken the long and arduous journey to Hinglaj in Las Bela of present-day Balochistan province of Pakistan. While Karniji's father was undertaking the pilgrimage to Hinglaj, the Goddess Hinglaj appeared to her mother and foretold the coming of the Devi.

First miracle During the customary Surya Pujan, performed seven days after the birth, relatives and friends had gathered hoping for a son. Among them was Meha's sister, who eagerly entered the purified maternity chamber to bless the child and claim long-expected gifts. However, the child was a girl, which was disapproved of by Meha's sister. In the moment when the aunt tried to strike-more perhaps in anger than play-the newborn with the back of her hand, her fingers became impaired immediately. This light punishment for unjust physical violence to the Infant was the avatar's first miracle. As taking the clue from Mehaji's remark that the child could do things and was in other words Karni, she came to be called Karni. Thus, the occasion of the birth of a miraculous child was celebrated with rejoicing by all.

News of Bhagwati Karniji's miracles soon spread, and people came from far and wide in large numbers seeking her help. They returned healed and content, their prayers answered.

Karnisar (Village Keliya) The wedding party en route to Sathika camped at a few wayside villages. People in large numbers would gather around at these camps and pray to the goddess and ask for advice and blessings to overcome their woes and troubles. At one such village called Keliya, Karniji granted the boon of plentiful water in the village well which since then came to be known as Karnisar.

Kanha answered: "No, I cannot allow you to stay. Leave my jagir immediately". At which Karniji replied, "Very well. I may agree but you know I am a devotee of Bhagwati Avadji and camped here under divine guidance. My prayer kit is in this vicker box. If Avadji allows you to put it on the cart, I will leave willingly."

All the four sons married, and their descendants populate the town of Deshnoke. The eldest Punya Raj, who had four sons, married at Sinla in the Sandu clan while the other three viz: Nag Raj, Sidh Raj, and Laxman Raj married respectively in the Lalas, Khiriya and Khiriya clans residing in their respective sasan villages Judiya, Kanwalian, and again Kanwalian. These descendants of Depaji are known as Depawat who are the traditional priests of the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke.

Assassination of Ranmal (1438 AD) Rao Chunda's favorite son, Satta, succeeded him as the king of Mandore. Meanwhile, Ranmal, his eldest son, joined the court of his brother-in-law, Lakha Singh of Mewar, where he gained influence and became regent for his nephew, Mokal Singh. After returning to Marwar in 1428, Ranmal defeated Satta and captured Mandore in 1430. He then took over governance of Mewar in the name of Mokal's son, Kumbha, after Mokal Singh's assassination. However, his Rathore influence in the Sisodia kingdom caused resentment among Mewar nobles. Ranmal's arrogance led him to claim the kingdom of Mewar for himself and order the murder of a Mewari prince, resulting in a coup against him in 1438 and his subsequent assassination, followed by the invasion of Marwar.

A royal reception was held from the site of the fort to village Chopasani near to the Amaraji's estate Mathania. Rao Jodha advanced up to Chopasani to receive the guests from Deshnoke and escort his tutelary deity Karniji to the site where on Jeth Sud 11th of Samvat 1515 (1459 AD), a Thursday, Karniji laid the foundation of the fort and the city of Jodhpur at an auspicious hour. Seeing a superior power, Jogi Chidyanath left the place at once.

Deshnoke-Chundasar-Kodamdesar Since childhood, Bika was a devoted believer in Karniji's blessings and carried an idol of Bhairava with him. He proceeded to Deshnoke with his uncles and soldiers and sought blessings for success in their ventures. Rao Kandhal spoke, "Bhuvaji (aunt), we left Jodhpur on the strength of our faith in your protection. Your sanctuary was our destination. We are at your command ready to fight for the establishment of Dharma. Kindly direct us to the destiny of Rajputs. We abide by your directions."

Kodamdesar Fort (1480 AD) Bika installed the idol of Bhairava at Kodamdesar and planned to build a fort around the shrine. The Bhatis under Rao Shekha of Pugal opposed the move and the Baghodas, another Rajput clan joined them and began preparations for war. Bika proceeded to Deshnoke to consult Karniji and narrated the design of his opponents' plan and requested her to accompany him to Kodamdesar as, he believed, her presence would deter his opponent Rajput chieftains from attacking.

Karniji said, "I had expressed before Shekha my desire of seeing her united with Rao Bika, but he did not agree." Shekha's wife replied, "According to our custom, a mother has a prior say about the daughter's fate, and that of the son is linked with the father. In exercise of this right, I accept your proposal and would abide by the promise till the last." Thus, the marriage between royal families of Bhati and Rathore was fixed at the behest of Karniji and a suitable date was chosen for nuptials.

Satisfied, Jagdu Shah returned home. He prospered, his ships brought merchandise & caravans carried them to trade markets scattered all over the region. His business required a lot of traveling. While travelling on one such journey in Samvat 1516 (1459 AD), his ship was caught in a perilous storm. The ship seemed to be fragile against the force of storm and the crew prayed for divine mercy. This reminded Jagdu Shah of the assurance given by his patron deity Karniji. He 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.

The Gumbhara in which the idol (carved by a suthar named Banna Khati on yellow marble of Jaisalmer in three months) was installed in the presence of Karniji herself. It's an uncemented structure with the roof of Jal tree Salvadora oleoides. For the shelter of Kabas, no mortar has been used. After the victory over Kamran Mirza, the king Rao Jaitsi (fourth ruler of Bikaner) constructed a structure around the Gumbhara called 'The Mandh'. Later Maharaja Surat Singh changed it to Pucca structure. The gold door of the sanctum was presented by Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh of Alwar. In the 20th century, Maharaja Ganga Singh renovated a major part of the temple.

Temra Rai Temple It is dedicated to goddess Avadji and located at the same place where Rao Kanha suffered for his obstinacy. The original Karand (basket used by Karniji to worship Avadji) and the idol of Avadji are still present there in the temple.

Sri Nehriji Temple (Deshnoke) Shri Nehriji is another temple at Deshnoke associated with Karniji when she lived at Deshnoke. The word Nehri means a dry wood which was revived to life to serve the requirement of churning curd.

When the migrants from Sathika first arrived at Johad in Janglu, they needed facilities for extracting ghee and churning curd from the cow milk. While pots and other required materials for the task had been brought, extraction of butter could not begin without a nehri (a Rajasthani name for one of the churning tools). Karniji asked one of the servants to fetch a piece of wood for the purpose who searched but what he did bring was not fit for making a proper nehri. Karniji thereupon planted the deadwood branch brought by the servant and sprinkled it with curd. The wood (a piece of dead Jal tree) took root and grew up as the only green Jal tree now to be seen in the Deshnoke Oran (protected village forest). A noteworthy feature of this tree is marks of sprinkled curds that have survived to this day.

Karni Mata Temple by Rana Sanga (Mewar) A shrine dedicated to Karni Mata was built by the Chāraṇas in the village of Bheemal Charanan in the Mewar kingdom. The priestess of the temple, Viri Maa, was renowned in the region for her prophecies. When the crown princes of Mewar, Sanga, Jaimal, and Prithviraj, were in a tussle over their succession to the throne, their uncle Surajmal suggested visiting the venerated shrine of Karni Mata at Nahar Magra ("Tiger's Mount") to obtain an omen from Viri Maa. The dispute between Sanga and Prithviraj to become Maharana was decided in this shrine and the prediction that Rana Sanga would become the ruler of Mewar was made by Viri Maa.

However, this prediction did not sit well with crown prince Prithviraj who gravely injured Sanga causing him to lose vision in one eye. Ultimately, Rana Sanga defeated Prithviraj and became the ruler of Mewar and constructed a temple dedicated to Karni Mata at this shrine.

Karni Mata Temple (Alwar) Another temple dedicated to Karni Mata is located in the historical city of Alwar, Rajasthan. It is situated in the heart of city, near the Sagar Palace and Bala Qila.

This temple was built by the second ruler of the Alwar State, Maharao Raja Sawai Bakhtawar Singh (1791–1815). Since then, the royal family of Alwar has been worshipping Karni Mata for whom two temples were built in Bala Qila and Rajbhawan.

Shree Madh Khurad Dham (Nagaur) Another historical temple dedicated to Maa Karni is located at Khurad, 12 km northeast from Gachhipura in the district of Nagaur, Rajasthan. The original temple was built by the Cāraṇas of village Khurd. Inder Baisa, a 20th-century figure, was seen as an incarnation of the goddess Karni by her followers. The Bikaner ruler Maharaja Ganga Singh was also among her devotees and on her advice sanctioned Rs. 11,157 on 8 September 1930 from his privy purse for carrying out the original works and repairs of the temple of Goddess Karni. Ganga Singh entrusted this work to his trusted minister Hari Singh of Sattasar. It was built as a fort. Lying close to the marble city Makrana, it is built mainly of white marble.