Mystical Site of Rajasthan

India is a home of unusual heritage and religious sites, Karni Mata temple is one of unusual attraction of India’s religious sites in Rajasthan’ India. Hindu temple in 30 km from Bikaner dedicated to Karni Mata, which is also popular as Temple of Rats.  The uniqueness of Karni Mata temple is for having approximately 25000 black rats that are live in temple. These rats are considered as holy rats and get respect from the temple visitors and devotees.

 

There is an interesting tale behind how the rats came to be accorded a divine status in this temple. According to the local devotees, once an army of 20,000 soldiers were defeated in a nearby battle and punishable by death penalty came to the Deshnoke village running. Mata spared their lives and turn them into rats. The soldiers promised the goddess to serve her forever in return.

Black Rats at Karni Mata temple

Other legend says the Karni Mata’s stepson Laxman drowned in a pond in Kapil Sarovar while he was attempting to drink water from it. Mata prayed Yuma (the god of death) to revive his life. Frist Yama refused and later Yama eventually relented, permitting Laxman and all of Karni Mata's male children to be reincarnated as rats.  One can find few white rats among those black rats who are believed to be Karni Mata herself and her four sons.

The building was completed in the early 20th century in the late Mughal architectural style by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. The temple has a beautiful marble front wall, with solid silver doors. Across the front entrance there are more silver doors with panels showcasing the legend of the Goddess. The image of the Goddess is preserve in the inner chamber. The temple is also believed to be a place of high faith where people come to seek the blessing of the goddess. It is also believed that if a rat is killed by someone then one should replace it with a silver rat

The temple witnesses a huge number of visitors and curious tourists from all over India just owning to the presence of these “rats”.

Site: Karni Mata temple.
Location: Bikaner Rajasthan' India

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