News India India's temple of rats: Karni Mata temple

India's temple of rats: Karni Mata temple

Bikaner: The Karni Mata temple is famous for its  huge rat population. Thousands of rats live inside the temple. These rats are considered auspicious therefore devotees never kill them or hit at them. Spotting a



Legend has it that Laxman, Karni Mata's stepson drowned in a water tank he was attempting to drink from. Karni Mata implored Yama, the god of death, to revive him.

First refusing, Yama eventually relented, permitting Laxman and all of Karni mata's male children to be reincarnated as rats.

The temple is famous for  approximately 20,000 black rats that live in the temple and are revered by devotees.

If one of the rats is killed, it must be replaced with one made of solid gold, is the unwritten rule here. Eating food that has been nibbled on by the rats is considered to be a “high honor”.

Out of e thousands of rats in the temple, there are a few white rats, which are considered to be especially holy. They are believed to be the manifestations of Karni Mata herself and her four sons.

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