Quick answer: Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple sits on Machla Magra hill above Doodh Talai, about 1.5 km from City Palace. You can ride the 387-metre ropeway from Deendayal Upadhyay Park (roughly 9 AM to 9 PM, about 4–5 minutes) or walk up a stepped trail in 15–20 minutes. Entry is free; a return ropeway ticket is approx. ₹100–150 for Indian adults. Arrive an hour before sunset.
Most people come for the view: Lake Pichola, the City Palace and the old city rooftops spread out below. But the hilltop shrine is a working temple with a Mewar story behind it, and it deserves a few quiet minutes before the sunset.
Karni Mata Temple Udaipur at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple (“Manshapurna” means fulfiller of wishes) |
| Location | Machla Magra hill, above Doodh Talai and Deendayal Upadhyay Park; Google Maps lists it under the Jawahar Nagar / Pichola area |
| Deity | Karni Mata, a 14th–15th century sage worshipped as a form of Goddess Durga |
| Original temple | Built in the time of Maharana Karan Singh (c. 1620–1628) |
| Temple hours | Approx. 4:00 AM to 7:30 PM (some sources say later; check locally) |
| Ropeway hours | Approx. 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily |
| Temple entry | Free |
| Ropeway length / ride | About 387 m, around 4–5 minutes each way |
| Walking time | 15–20 minutes up the stepped trail |
| Time needed | 45 minutes to 1.5 hours |
| Distance from City Palace | About 1.5 km |
History of Karni Mata Temple, Udaipur
Karni Mata was a female sage born, according to tradition, in 1387 in Suwap village near Phalodi in western Rajasthan. She became the guardian deity of the Charan community and of several Rajput royal houses, including Bikaner and Jodhpur, and is worshipped as a form of Durga.
Between about 1620 and 1628, Maharana Karan Singh of Mewar developed a settlement on Machla Magra for the city’s safety, and the hilltop shrine dates from this period. It was later abandoned for a long time. In 1997 the Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Development Committee rebuilt it, and the ropeway that followed made it one of Udaipur’s busiest evening spots.
Is this the “rat temple”?
No. The famous Karni Mata rat temple is at Deshnoke, near Bikaner. The Udaipur shrine honours the same goddess but is a small hilltop temple, not a rat temple.
The Karni Mata Ropeway: Timings, Tickets and the Ride
The Mansapurna Karni Mata Ropeway links Deendayal Upadhyay Park at Doodh Talai with the hilltop. It was built by a private operator in partnership with the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), opened around 2008–2009, and is often described as Rajasthan’s first passenger ropeway.
| Ropeway detail | Approx. details (check before you go) |
|---|---|
| Lower station | Deendayal Upadhyay Park, Doodh Talai (next to Manikya Lal Verma Park) |
| Operating hours | About 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| Indian adult (return) | Approx. ₹100–150 |
| Indian child under 110 cm (return) | Approx. ₹50–80 |
| Foreign adult (return) | Approx. ₹300 |
| Foreign child under 110 cm (return) | Approx. ₹150 |
| Cable length | About 387 m |
| Ride time | About 4–5 minutes |
Fares are shown on the board at the counter and have changed over the years, so treat the figures above as a guide. Buy at the lower station and carry some cash as a backup.
What the ride is like: short, steep and smooth. The gondola lifts you over the trees above Doodh Talai and the lake opens up below within the first minute. Sit facing downhill on the way up to keep the view.
Queues: weekday mornings are quiet. Weekend and holiday evenings, especially from Diwali to New Year, can mean a long wait for the sunset slot. If the line is long, the stairs are often quicker.
The Trek: Walking Up to Karni Mata
You don’t need the ropeway. A stepped trail climbs the hill from the Doodh Talai side, close to Deendayal Upadhyay Park.
- Time: about 15–20 minutes up at an easy pace, a little less coming down.
- Difficulty: steady and steep in places. Fit adults manage it easily; older visitors should take breaks.
- Steps: we haven’t found a reliable published count, so we won’t guess one.
- No vehicles: cars and bikes can’t go up the hill. Everyone arrives on foot or by ropeway.
A good compromise: ride up for the view and walk down while there’s still light. The trail isn’t well lit, so don’t leave it until late.
Ropeway or Stairs: Which Should You Choose?
| Choose the ropeway if… | Choose the stairs if… |
|---|---|
| You’re with elderly parents or small children | You want to visit before 9 AM |
| You want the aerial view over the lakes | The ropeway queue is very long |
| It’s a hot afternoon (April to June) | You enjoy a short climb and want to save the fare |
| You’re short on time | You want a quieter, slower approach |
Families and older travellers: even with the ropeway there’s a short walk and some steps from the upper station to the shrine and viewpoints. Wheelchair access is limited, so call us before you plan.
What You’ll See at the Top
- The shrine: a small temple with a stone image of Karni Mata. Remove shoes before entering, and ask before photographing inside.
- The viewpoints: terraces look over Lake Pichola, the City Palace, Fateh Sagar and the old city. On a clear day you can pick out the Monsoon Palace on its own hill to the west; our Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace guide helps if you’re choosing between the two sunset spots.
Best Time to Visit Karni Mata Temple
- Sunset: the most popular time. The sun drops behind the western hills, the lake turns gold, then the palaces light up. Reach the lower station about an hour before sunset.
- Early morning (6–8 AM): best for the walk, for prayer and for cool air, with almost no crowd.
- October to March: clear skies and pleasant temperatures, the best months for views.
- July to September: green hills and fuller lakes after good rains, but low cloud can hide the view and steps get slippery.
- April to June: go only at dawn or sunset.
Festivals: the temple is busiest during both Navratris (spring and autumn). Aarti is performed morning and evening; exact times vary with the season, so ask at the temple.
How to Reach Karni Mata Temple, Udaipur
The ropeway’s lower station and the foot trail both start at Doodh Talai, a small lake right next to Lake Pichola.
| From | Approx. distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| City Palace / Jagdish Temple | About 1.5 km | 5–10 minutes by auto or car, or a 20-minute walk |
| Udaipur City railway station | About 3–4 km | Around 15 minutes by road |
| Maharana Pratap Airport (Dabok) | About 24 km | 35–45 minutes by road |
| Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) | Separate hill to the west | Plan as a separate stop |
- By auto-rickshaw: easy to find in the old city. Agree the fare first or use a ride app.
- By car: parking near Doodh Talai fills up on weekend evenings, so being dropped at the gate by a driver is easier. Our Udaipur taxi booking page explains how that works.
- On foot: from Jagdish Temple or Gangaur Ghat, walk south through the old city lanes towards Doodh Talai.
With Lake Pichola: a Lake Pichola boat ride in the afternoon followed by the ropeway at sunset is one of Udaipur’s best evening pairings.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Dress modestly and leave shoes outside the shrine.
- Carry water, especially if you walk up.
- Keep food out of sight; monkeys are often seen around Udaipur’s hills.
- Check the last ropeway down before settling in for sunset.
- Come at sunrise on holiday weekends if you dislike queues.
Plan Your Karni Mata Temple Visit
Karni Mata is an easy evening add-on to a day in Udaipur’s old city. Our drivers can drop you at Doodh Talai an hour before sunset, wait while you ride up, and take you on to dinner afterwards. If you’d like the temple included in a full day with a driver, see our Udaipur sightseeing day tour, or book a car for a few hours through our Udaipur taxi service.
Call or WhatsApp +91-8619315547 (Udaipur) or +91-9983889373 (Jaipur).
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I reach Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur without the ropeway?
Yes. A stepped trail climbs Machla Magra from the Doodh Talai side, near Deendayal Upadhyay Park, and takes most people 15 to 20 minutes. It’s free and it’s the only way up before the ropeway starts at around 9 AM. Wear shoes with grip and avoid it after dark.
2. How many stairs are there to Karni Mata Temple, Udaipur?
There’s no reliable official count and online figures vary. Expect stone steps mixed with short slopes, taking 15 to 20 minutes to climb. If knees are a concern, ride the ropeway up and walk down slowly, or ride both ways.
3. What are the Karni Mata Temple timings in Udaipur?
The temple opens early, around 4 AM, and most sources give a closing time of about 7:30 PM. The ropeway runs separately, roughly 9 AM to 9 PM. Timings can change on festival days, so confirm locally before you go.
4. How much is the Karni Mata ropeway ticket?
A return ticket is approx. ₹100 to ₹150 for Indian adults and about half for children under 110 cm. Foreign adults pay approx. ₹300. Temple entry is free. Fares are displayed at the counter and have changed over time, so check on the day.
5. What are the aarti timings at Karni Mata Temple?
Aarti is held morning and evening, but we haven’t found a fixed published schedule, and times move with sunrise and sunset through the year. Ask the priests or at the ropeway counter on arrival if you want to attend.
6. Who built Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur?
The temple dates to the reign of Maharana Karan Singh of Mewar, who developed a settlement on Machla Magra between about 1620 and 1628. It was rebuilt in 1997 by the Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Development Committee after a long period of neglect.
7. Is Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur the same as the rat temple?
No. The well-known rat temple is at Deshnoke, near Bikaner. Udaipur’s Shri Manshapurna Karni Mata Temple honours the same goddess but is a small hilltop shrine known mainly for its views over Lake Pichola, not for rats.
8. Is the Karni Mata ropeway suitable for kids and elderly parents?
Most families find it comfortable: small enclosed gondolas and a ride of only four to five minutes, with a lower fare for children under 110 cm. There’s still a short walk with some steps at the top, so allow extra time and avoid holiday evenings.
9. What is the best time to visit Karni Mata Temple for sunset?
Reach the lower station about an hour before sunset to cover any queue, the ride and finding a spot on the terraces. October to March gives the clearest skies; in the monsoon, low cloud can block the view.
10. How far is Karni Mata Temple from Lake Pichola and City Palace?
The lower station at Doodh Talai sits beside Lake Pichola and about 1.5 km from City Palace, a five to ten minute drive or a 20-minute walk. That makes it easy to pair an afternoon boat ride with the ropeway at sunset.