NEHRIJI

The temple of Nehriji is located a mile away from Deshnoke towards, west. It is easily accessible by road. A number of buses, jongas and private vehicles commute between Nehriji, Deshnoke and Bikaner regularly. Deshnoke is the nearest Railway Station.

Mata came to Nehriji from Sathika gram in Vikram Samwat 1457 Juestha Shukla Navami due to scarcity of water. At that time Nehri was known as Jaanglu (means Jungle) which means forest. Maa Karni lived in this deserted forest in a straw hut for 9 years. This straw hut came to be known as Maa Karni ji Ki Dhani and later on a temple was erected here.

Nehri stands for “Neni” which means a branch of a tree or a twig. Karni Mata used neni to churn milk. The tree under which was the Mata’s hut is still there and as green as ever. Several evidences of Mata’s residence is still found here. The few droplets of yoghurt still do not fade. Mata converted this deserted forest into a pious pilgrim center. Her devotees would come to visit her here and still do.

But Nehriji was her temporary abode. At the age of 67, Mata lost her husband (Gulab bai became sati). Then Mata permanently shifted to Deshnoke, the town whose foundation was laid by Maa herself from Nehriji.

It is believed that a visit to Deshnoke is incomplete without a visit to Nehriji. The temple of Nehriji has been developed gradually and recently. Mata’s idol was installed here in Ashwin month of Vikram Samwat 1999. A little marble temple is erected around the idol, which has got four archways. This temple, the adjoining room, the kitchen, and the boundary wall was made by King Ganga Singhji of Bikaner. The small cave behind this temple belongs to Baba Sangariya. The courtyard within, also a white marble has a huge Peepal tree at the center. The idol is very much visible from the entrance itself. The peace and spiritually of the place establishes the presence of Mata among us.