Karni Mata Temple Udaipur - A Sightseeing Guide

Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur overlooks the city of lakes and the surrounding landscapes. While the temple itself is only small and modest, the view from the fort is one of the best sunset points in Udaipur. After experiencing a magical sunset at Karni Mata Temple, we consider it to be one of the top places to visit in Udaipur in 2-days.

To capture awe-inspiring views of Udaipur, Karni Mata Temple is up there with the Monsoon Palace, as one of the best viewpoints in the city. Located on the Machla Magra Hills, east of Lake Pichola, you can access the temple via a short hike or ropeway.

In this guide, we advise everything you need to know ahead of visiting the Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur. Including entrance fees, opening times, what to expect & more.

Karni Mata Temple Udaipur – A Sightseeing Guide

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Karni Mata Temple Udaipur Sunset — Go to Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur for Sunset

How to Get To Karni Mata Temple

Udaipur is an essential addition to any Rajasthan itinerary. It is one of the most popular tourist cities in the country and forms a part of our suggested one month in India Route. You can conveniently reach Udaipur via bus, train, or plane from all over the country.

Set East of Lake Pichola, Karni Mata Temple is accessible via foot if you don’t mind working up a bit of a sweat. From Udaipur City Palace, the distance is approximately 2km. It’s a pleasant walk as you pass through various boutique stores and restaurants that you miss in the center of the town.

If you don’t want to walk, it’s possible to take a taxi or rickshaw from the town. Both are easy to come by in the city; however, be sure to haggle on the price as the drivers can be opportunists when it comes to tourists.

Another way of getting around in Udaipur is to rent a scooter or bicycle. Although, I only recommend doing so if you feel confident. Like most places in India, the roads in Udaipur are a rat race, so you need to have your wits about you at all times. Bike rental shops are present throughout the city, and the average daily rental is 500 rupees ($7) per day for a basic scooter or bicycle.

From the foot of the hill of Karni Mata Temple, you can decide to walk the stairs or take the ropeway to the summit. If you are of a reasonable fitness level, the hike will take no longer than 20 minutes, while the ropeway gets you to the top in 5 minutes. Both options provide great views; however, to hike is free while the ropeway costs 110 rupees (1.55$) return.

: Karni Mata Temple Udaipur

Karni Mata Temple Map Location

Karni Mata Temple Udaipur Entry Fee

The entrance to the temple is free, but donations are welcome.

Things to Know Before Visiting Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur

Here is all the information you’ll need ahead of visiting Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur.

Opening Times

The Karni Mata Temple is open to visitors 7-days a week from 4.30 am – 10.00 pm.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of year for sightseeing in Udaipur is during the Indian Winter, which runs from October-February. You can expect a dry and cooler climate during this time, resulting in a far more enjoyable experience!

Late afternoon is without a doubt the best time to visit the Karni Mata Temple. This way, you will get to enjoy the sun setting behind Lake Pichola. We experienced one of the most magical sunsets of all our time in India here. So try to time your visit for a clear day.

If you are unable to make it for sunset, early in the morning is another peaceful time to visit. You could even attempt to make it for sunrise if you don’t mind the early start. I imagine it would be as equally mesmerising as experiencing the sunset here.

Time Required

You will need to allow around 2-3 hours to visit the Karni Mata Temple, including travel time from the city.

Respect Temple Etiquette

When visiting the Karni Mata Temple, please keep in mind that it is a place of worship. Even if you are only visiting for sunset, it’s important to act respectfully. Here are some things to consider.

Keep shoulders and legs below the knee covered at all times.
Remove your shoes before entering the temple.
There is a ‘no photography’ policy in most temples; however, you could ask the priest for permission.

Our Experience at Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur

We were on a mission to find all the best sunset points in Udaipur when the owner of our hotel exclaimed ‘you must visit Karni Mata Temple’. ‘Go now, and you will make it.’ So with that, we gathered our camera gear and got on our way.

From the foot of the hill, the walk to the top takes around 15-20 minutes. Although, you may need to take a couple of breaks as it is quite a steep set of stairs. On a separate occasion, we took the ropeway or cable car as we like to call it, and that alone can take 15-minutes if you include the waiting time. So if you don’t mind a little workout, I recommend taking the stairs.

Naturally, the views over the city only intensified the higher we climbed, and we were expecting an epic sunset. What we weren’t expecting, however, were many other people around. The hotel guy made it almost sound like a secret. Turns out that isn’t the case, and there were several groups of locals and tourists already waiting at the summit when we arrived.

With some time to spare before sunset, we head off to check out the temple. You will need to remove your shoes before going inside, where there is a shrine of the Hindu Deity – Karni Mata. Do not be surprised by the enclosure containing white rats sat outside the temple. These animals are a representation of Karni Mata and considered auspicious.

City View from the top of Karni Mata Temple

Sunset at Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur

It takes no longer than 10-minutes to look around the temple, so we proceeded to find a spot for sunset. Thankfully, we got ourselves the perfect view and watched on as the sky transformed into a plethora of pink and orange hues. There is something especially majestic about sunsets in India, and this one, a Karni Mata Temple is one of our most memorable.

Where to Stay in Udaipur

Whether you are looking for luxury, mid-range, or budget, Udaipur is not short of great accommodation options.

Hostel – Gypsy Child Lake Hostel – One of only a few hostels in Udaipur, Gypsy Lake Child is the top choice thanks to its unrivalled location. Boasting incredible views of Lake Pichola, guests can enjoy the sunset from the rooftop.

Budget Private – Jagat Villa Guesthouse – We can personally recommend Jagat Villa Guesthouse, for affordable, clean & comfortable private rooms. Located just a 5-minute walk from Pichola Lake, you have great restaurants and shopping opportunities right on your doorstep.

Luxury – Taj Lake Palace – It doesn’t get more luxurious than the Taj Lake Palace. Located in the middle of Pichola Lake, we could only look on in awe of this enchanting complex. If you are prepared to splash some cash, a stay here would be a once in a lifetime experience.

For more places to stay in Udaipur, you can check the latest prices HERE.

Are you looking for the best lakeside accommodations only? We’ve got you covered from hostel to luxury in this article here.

More on Udaipur

Are you planning a trip to Udaipur? Check out our other articles to help plan your trip.

The Perfect 1 Month India Itinerary – India Backpacking Route
The Best Rajasthan Itinerary for 5 Days or More
18 Amazing places to see in Udaipur in 2 days
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Udaipur
7 Awesome Sunset Spots in Udaipur
Udaipur City Palace – A Sightseeing Guide
Ahar Cenotaphs Udaipur – A Sightseeing Guide
Monsoon Palace Udaipur – A Sightseeing Guide
The Best Lake Facing Hotels in Udaipur

AHAR CENOTAPHS TOMB — Ahar Cenotaphs Udaipur

Did you enjoy our Sightseeing Guide for Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur, India?

Well, that concludes Sightseeing Guide for Karni Mata Temple in Udaipur in India. We hope you enjoy your time in this magical country. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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