Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Maharana Pratap Airport (UDR) in Udaipur is the nearest airport to the temple, about 24 km away.

• By train

  Udaipur City Railway Station (UDZ) is the nearest railway station, about 4 km away.

• By road

  Tongas, auto-rickshaws and taxis take visitors to Doodh Talai, near the temple. Udaipur City Bus Depot is also about 4 km away.

On the way

• Climb the stairs up Machla Magra Hills.
• Take the 387 m ropeway from Deendayal Upadhyay Park.
• Ride the aerial tramway from Doodh Talai Musical Garden.

Why devotees come here

Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple stands on Machla Magra Hills in Udaipur, near Doodh Talai Lake. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, a revered female sage seen as a form of Devi Durga, and it enshrines her stone idol.

Karni Mata is revered as a female Hindu sage and as a manifestation of the powerful Devi Durga. She is also known as Bhagwati Karniji Maharaj, Mehaai, Jagdamba and Kiniyani. Legends say she lived as a warrior sage in Western Rajasthan between the 14th and 16th centuries, and that she performed deeds for the good of her community. The royal families of Bikaner and Jodhpur also took her as their official deity.

Maharana Karan Singh built the temple between 1620 and 1628, and its construction came as the residential areas around it were growing. Inside, the white pillars are carved in detail. The stone idol of Karni Mata is enshrined here.

The temple sits atop Machla Magra Hills, close to the centre of Udaipur city. Climbing the stairs is one way up, and the ropeway is the other option.

Tips for your visit

• No vehicles can enter the hill boundary, so the walkway is for pedestrians only.
• Just outside the main entrance, flanked by two lion paintings, is a Shiva Linga.
• The temple gives views over the city and its lakes.

Questions people ask