The Rat Temple in India is one of the most amazing places of worship in the world. India has long attracted a huge number of tourists and travelers with cultural features that can sometimes shock others. Among them is the Sri Karni Mata Temple, located in the Deshnok settlement in the state of Rajasthan, in the north-west of the country in the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan.
The Legend of Karni Mata
The rat temple in India is a pink and white building with marble floors and impressive carved gates. Regularly long lines of people line up in it, venerating the goddess Durga, considered one of the most popular in Hinduism.
There is a legend that at the end of the XIV century Durga moved to the body of an earthly girl named Karni Mata. It is known that she was born in the village of Suwal in 1387 on the territory of Rajasthan, becoming the seventh daughter in a family belonging to the Charan caste. Among its representatives are mainly writers, bards, storytellers. The Hindus who belonged to this caste became famous thanks to the courage shown in the battles, loyalty to their military leaders, and literary talent.
It is said that the mother did not carry the girl for nine months, but 21. When she grew up, she was married. But she did not want to lose her virginity, convincing her husband to take her younger sister Gulab as her second wife. They had a son, Lakhan.
Meanwhile, Ridhu Bai wandered around the country with a herd of cows and his followers, calling on everyone he met on his way to good and peace. He stepped on the deprived and miserable, worked miracles.
Caught in Deshnok, Lakhan drowned in the lake, trying to get plenty to drink. Then Karni Mata turned to the god of death Yama with a request to return him. However, he was adamant. Then the woman said that since then all the men of the caste will temporarily become rats. Only perishing in their guise can they again become people in the next life.
According to another common version, Yama agreed to return Lakhan, but only in the body of the rat, like all the followers of the saint herself.
It is known that Karni Mata herself lived until 151, and after she went missing, nothing is known about her future fate. It is believed that she just disappeared at some point.
Shelter for followers
The Indian rat temple has become a refuge for the worship of Durga and a refuge for the embodiment of souls in the form of rats. It was built in Deshnok. Every month, descendants of the Karni Mata family take up duty in this religious building. For a whole month, one of the families is obliged to live among the rats in this temple, performing divine services three times a day.
It is noteworthy that not only the descendants of the goddess are ready to live surrounded by rodents, but also many believers, considering it fortunate to drink milk from the same bowl with rats. This allows even small children.
Temple Features
In the rat temple in India, everything is done for the convenience of these rodents. The marble floor is heated to prevent animals from freezing in the cold. And to move these hordes of rats, special tunnels are arranged.
The rat temple in India regularly prepares food for them. And so that pigeons do not fly into it, everything is tightened with special nets in the courtyards. Everywhere you can watch the rats lazily hanging on the forged gratings, sleeping anywhere, some even manage to gnaw through the net, climbing on it. So do not be scared if one of them suddenly falls right on your head.
Although rodents are surrounded by care, they do not look well-groomed outwardly, like their wild brethren, local rodents are constantly bitten, ragged and sick. The fact that one rat can eat another does not bother anyone here.
Amazing traditions
An interesting fact about the rat temple in India is that everything rat has time to bite is considered sacred here. It is highly valued, as is the attention that rodents show to believers. For example, if a rodent runs over its legs, the Indian will be very happy.
The greatest success is considered to be a white rat. Locals believe that the soul of Karni Mata herself or her closest relative is embodied in her.
When someone accidentally kills a rat, he must compensate for the damage caused to the temple by bringing its equivalent in silver or gold of the same weight. When this blasphemy is committed by one of the tourists, most often one of the believing Indians pays for the damage.
Rules of behavior
A photo of the rat temple in India can be seen in the reports of most tourists who come from India. As in most of these temples, walking in shoes is forbidden. The Indians themselves constantly go barefoot, and enterprising traders sell disposable socks to tourists.
It is noteworthy that as soon as the traveler leaves the temple, throwing socks in the trash, the merchants immediately pick them up and sell them to the next foreigner. Therefore, it is recommended to stock up with thick socks and durable shoe covers for traveling to Deshnok.
In the photo of the temple of rats you can see several altars. The most important one is in a separate room. For curious tourists, access to it is closed. Only believers can go there. Foreigners most often behave in this religious building, like in a zoo. This temple has a real unsolvable mystery. No one still understands how this place over the centuries has never become the source of a single epidemic.
Respectful attitude
It is very important to treat rats with increased reverence. Even if they run through your body, dropping them is strictly prohibited. This may be perceived by others as sacrilege, especially if you harm them.
Locals come to this unusual temple, not only to worship rats. It is commonplace for Indians to dine among rodents or make some important deal. When this is done in such a sacred place, it is believed that the case is literally doomed to success. That is why many traders, entrepreneurs strive to conduct business negotiations in this temple.
Hindus prefer to come here to take a break from the worldly bustle, enjoying the peace and quiet among their own ancestors. They believe that the rats embody the souls of their ancestors, who in the next life will be able to become human again. That is why the attitude towards rodents is so cautious and emphasized politely. No one here ever allows himself to offend a rat.
Travel Impressions
In reviews of the rat temple in India, most tourists admit that the sight of huge rat hordes drinking milk plunges many into real horror. It should be recognized that this is one of the symbols of India. This you will not see in any other country. No matter how squeamish you are to these rodents, it is a must to visit this place. This is a local specificity, which is certainly worth evaluating.