NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT

Jeen Mata Temple

Jeenmata is a village of religious importance in Sikar district of Rajasthan India. It is located at a distance of 29 km from Sikar town in south. The population of town is 4359 out of which 1215 are SC and 113 ST people. There is an ancient Templededicated to Jeen Mata (Goddess of Power). The sacred shrine of Jeenmata is believed to be a thousand years old. Millions of devotees assemble here for a colourful festival held twice in a year in the month of Chaitra and Ashvin during the Navratri. There are a number of dharamshalas to accommodate large number of visitors. Just close to this temple her brother Harsh Bhairav nath's temple is situated on the top of the hill.

Mugal Emperor Aurangzeb wanted to raze to the ground the Mandir of Mata. Being invoked by Her priests, the Mata let out its army of bhairons (a specie of fly family) which brought the Emperor and his soldiers to their knees. He sought pardon and the Kind hearted Mataji excused him from Her anger. Aurangzeb donated akhand (Ever-glow) oil lamp from his Delhi palace. This lamp is still glowing in the sacred sanctorium of the Mata.

Khatu Shyam

The legend begins with the Mahābhārata. Barbarika alias 'KhatuShyam' alias Shyam Baba was a grandson of Bhima, Second of the Pandava brothers. He was the son of Ghatotkacha (who in turn was son of Bhima) and Kamkantkata Ma Morwi . Even in his childhood, Barbarika was a very brave warrior. He learnt the art of warfare from his mother. God Shiva, pleased with him, gave him the three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). Hence, Barbarika came to be known by the appellation Teen Baan Dhaari, the "Bearer of Three Arrows". Later, Agni (the god of Fire) gave him the bow that would make him victorious in the three worlds.

When Barbarika got to know that battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas had become inevitable, he wanted to witness what was to be the Mahābhārata War. He promised his mother that if he felt the urge to participate in the battle, he would join the side which would be losing. He rode to the field on his Blue Horse equipped with his three arrows and bow.

Karni Mata Temple

Popularly known as the Karni Mata Mandir, this temple is the most called upon tourist attractions in Bikaner. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who the locals believe is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, the protective Mother Goddess in Hindu religion. Karni Mata was a Hindu warrior sage from the Charan caste, who lived in the fourteenth century. Living the life of an ascetic, Karni Mata was highly revered by the locals and earned many followers too. Having received requests from the Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner, she even laid the foundation stones of the Mehrangarh and Bikaner Forts. Although there are many temples dedicated to her, this temple in the town of Deshnoke at a distance of 30 kilometers from Bikaner is the mostly widely recognized.