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How many of you love rats. I assume many of you might be thinking that I am crazy and loving rats is gross. I am personally, quite scared of them as a fact that they carry tones of deadly diseases and are insanitary as well.
Now tell me about visiting a place full of rats. Yes, rats… thousand of them.
Bikaner, Rajasthan is known for its camel safaris and magnificent castles, but it is its unique temple just 30 km away from the mainland Bikaner in the town of Deshnok that attracts our interest to the area. The Karni Mata Rat Temple may be the freakiest attraction one can ever be to.
The legend of Karni Mata temple Rajasthan dates back to the 1300s when in the Charan clan, Karni Mata was born. Karni Mata made a deal with the God of Death, Yama, to reincarnate her submerged son. When Yama refused to help her, she promised her race that the Charan Caste would live forever as rats and shall be reincarnated as humans again upon being dead rats in the future.
Sounding like folklore, the cultural tale is considered a true, mythical legend among the locals. Considering the Hindu traditions, where death is not the end but the beginning of another life often ensures the sanctity of the story.
Every day, hundreds of devotees visit this temple, worship and serve the rats. The temple is very famous among vacationists as well. visitors who want to see the rats at optimum quantity are recommended to arrive at sunrise or late at night.
Karni Mata Temple is home to over 25,000 rats, called ‘Kabbas’. These Kabbas are said to be the presentation of Goddess Karni Mata and are regarded to be highly divine and worshipped every day. These kabbas wander around freely in the temple and can be found drinking milk from a large bowl. Moreover, Sighting a white rat is considered to be remarkably auspicious, and people all around can be found attracting the white rats out of their holes by offering them, various sweets.
Till now not a single rat has been recorded leaving the temple premises which is remarkably unique considering the temple is 24/7 open for rats to go. A bowl full of holy prasad is first offered to rats and then the leftover is eaten by all the devotees; this is considered highly pure by the locals.
It is obvious, no Footwear is allowed inside the Karni Mata Temple, where the skirting claws of one of its numerous rats/ kabbas over bare toes is a blessing. In the first place, people got a little hesitant noticing so many rats but after spending just a few minutes inside the temple everyone starts to enjoy themself as all the rats there are extremely friendly and playful.
The existing building of the temple was constructed by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. The beautiful structure of the Karni Mata Temple is built entirely in marble. Additionally, Pairs of silver doors can be seen inside the temple complex before the main shrine of the goddess. These solid silver gates were donated by Maharaja Gaj Singh when he had visited the glorious temple.
Last but not least till now there is no report of a single plague or any sort of disease outbreak from Karni Mata temple which is truly magical for a place with more than 25,000 rats. This temple shows a direct connection between rats, religion and luck.
Twice each year temple organizes a fair completely devoted to the goddess Karni Mata. The first festival/fair is celebrated in the month(s) of March/April, during Navratri. The fair during this season is way more beautiful and celebrated on a grand level in comparison to the second fair that is held in the month(s) of October/November. The fair attracts a large number of people, who come to get a magnified glimpse of the rich opulence and history that is celebrated during this time in the nation.
Additional information- Karni Mata Temple
- Deshnok is located 30 km from Bikaner
- Public Buses depart frequently from Bikaner for 20 Rs
- Good guides are available in the area (must bargain for best prices)
- You can also stop at the camel farm on the way to the temple from Bikaner.
- Temple timing are Monday to Sunday 4 am to 10 pm
FAQs- The Rat Temple of India
1. What are the temple timings on a normal day?
The Karni Mata temple is open 7 days a week. Timings are from 4 am to 10 pm.
2. What is the best way to commute to the temple?
As the temple is just 30km away from the mainland Bikaner, there are plenty of means of transportation available. The best is to take a bus ride from Bikaner for just rupees 20.
3. Is there any other tourist attraction in the location?
Yes, there are numerous attractions in the area. There’s a camel farm nearby where many tourists stop to click some amazing memories.
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never thought of where a temple having so many rats….amazing research
Every time I get to know something new!! Keeping going !!
Amazing article