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.
