Karni Mata - The Rat Temple

Still More From March 11, 2010

You need to be seated because you just won’t believe what you are about to read about and see. We all agreed that this is absolutely the craziest thing we have ever seen and been standing in the middle of. Just TRY to wrap your head around this one!

Front of The Rat Temple

Our last stop today will be at the Karni Mata Hindu Temple, also known as the Rat Temple. The temple is located a short 30km drive south from Bikaner in the small town of Deshnok.

The legend of Karni Mata goes like this –

In the 14^th century, Goddess Karni is said to have lived and performed many miracles during her existence (she was a real person). Karni Mata was a mystic, who led a virtuous life committed to the service of the poor and the oppressed of all communities. The goddess is said to have laid the foundation of Deshnok. As per the stories, once when her youngest son drowned, Goddess Karni asked Yama (the god of death) to bring him back to life. Lord Yama replied that he could not return her son’s life. Thus, Karni Mata, being an incarnation of Goddess Durga (the invincible one, one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress), restored the life of her son. At this point of time, she announced that her family members would die no longer; in fact, they would incarnate in the form of rats (kabas) and ultimately, these rats would come back as members of her family. In Deshnok, there are around 600 families that assert to be the descendants of Karni Mata.

The temple at Deshnok was built in the 15^th century. It houses around 5,000 rats that are fed, protected and worshipped. Many holes can be seen in the courtyard of this temple. In the vicinity of these holes, one can see rats engaged in different activities. The rats can be seen here eating from huge metal bowls of milk, sweets and grains. To make the holy rats safe, wires and grills are sited over the courtyard to avoid the birds of prey and other animals getting inside.

It is regarded as good luck if a rat runs over your foot (this happened to me twice!) and it is considered promising and fruitful if you spot a rare white rat. As with all Hindu temples, visitors must remove their shoes before entering, which could make you cringe if you are nervous about walking around with a bunch of rats at your feet. The temple floor is not filthy, but you do run the risk of stepping on a few droppings as you walk around the temple.

Here are the photos and movies……….

Here we are with our driver, Krpal, just outside the temple gates. He is giving us the history of the temple and trying to prepare us for what we are about to see.

Once inside the courtyard of the temple, we found these rats drinking from a bowl of milk.

You have to admit they are pretty cute.

Hey mom, you know I've done some pretty crazy things in my life, right? After seeing this, maybe now you won't think that bunji jumping in New Zealand was really that crazy after all!

Look how cute these little guys are getting ready for a nap on the wrought iron fence.

I bet this is my long lost old uncle Henry and aunt Maud :o)

The alter entrance inside the temple

Rowan and I were not allowed inside the alter room in the temple because we are not Hindu's.

However, we were able to go just inside the first room to wait for Shrikant & Charanya to come out. We took the opportunity to sit down with the rats and take a picture through the little window just to the right of the main entrance.

And here is Charanya with her fresh bindi

And, here is a little video from just outside the alter area near this window.

All kidding aside, this temple and what it represents is taken very seriously by the many people who are believers. Here is a man kneeling at the temple gate to worship as he enters. Notice the rats running around him.

Some very interesting things we learned about the rats - they never leave the temple (it really is unbelievable how when you walk through the main gate, the rats just don't cross the threshold to come outside. I watched for quite some time and was amazed). In the temple's history the town has never been infested with them, there has never been an outbreak of plague or rodent-related disease among the town's people, and they have never attacked or bitten anyone. Sounds like something divine to me!

.......I think I just got over my fear of rats. :o)

Tomorrow, we are off on our camels into the Thar Desert. Stay tuned...........