Rat temple in Deshnok, Rajasthan

One of its kind Rat Temple in Deshnok, from our blog https://www.paylesstoursindiablog.com/2020/05/one-of-its-kind-rat-temple-in-deshnok.html

Karni Mata temple a place that undoubtedly raises controversy, especially among tourists from the West due to the character of the place and creatures living there. Karni Mata (an avatar of the warrior goddess Durga) also popularly known as the "Temple of Rats" is a place located  in Deshnok about 30 km from Bikaner town in Rajasthan near the border with Pakistan and it is about 600 years old. It is said that 25,000 rats live in the temple. People come here for blessing because rats are considered unique, you can say saint and it is associated with two legends.

The first legend says that the god Laxman, who was the stepson of Karni Mata, after drowning in the pond reincarnated to the rat with all the children of Karni Mata. It was the grace of the god Jama after Karni Mata had asked the god to bring Laxman back to life.

Another legend says that rats before reincarnation are the army of soldiers who once committed the sin of desertion. They were not killed, but Mata Karni turned them into rats which since that moment have served the temple.

The Karni Mata Temple is also worth sightseeing due to the architecture influenced by the Mughal style of construction. The beautiful temple is decorated with a fantastic marble facade and marble sculptures, which also adds charm to this place. Although the whole concept of this temple may seem disgusting or weird to some of us, it is a unique experience and is something not to be missed. Most rats are calm and overfed by the pilgrims. The only people without food for the rats are tourists from the West, who, in turn, are absorbed in taking photos and you can see that they are doing their best so as not to accidentally step on them. We go inside the temple barefoot or with foot pads available at the shoe deposit point, which makes it easier for non-Indian tourists to overcome fear or disgust.

Sharing food that has been eaten by rats, such as milk and cereals, is considered "prasad" and is said to bring luck.

There are several white rats in the temple, so the chance of meeting  the white rat is really little, it is believed that these are Karni Mata and her sons who are reincarnated into rats. Seeing a white rat is considered extremely lucky, so people try to attract them offering sweets and different treats. It is worth mentioning that accidental stepping on one of the small residents of the temple may result in  funding a golden or silver statue of this animal.