Karni Mata, rat temple in Rajasthan Infamous
First mention of a visit to the Karni Mata temple in the city of Deshnok dry and dusty, Rajasthan, generally leads to the same answer. “Ewwww, no thank you!” A quick glance of any travel guide to India is the stomach of most readers. However, many visitors take the time to walk the short distance from Bikaner (30 kms). Curiosity can more than most tourists, especially when local residents call the front door with the hope that the white rat. Yes, rats.
Built by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, in the early 1900s as a tribute to the rat goddess, Karni Mata, Hindu lives of thousands of rats to live in harmony among the tourists, priests and followers. Karni Mata, a mystic matriarch from the 14 century, was an incarnation of Durga, the Hindu goddess of power and profit. Deshnok was elected to the location of Durga’s father found her future husband a remote village in Jaipur. Time lines are incomplete, although the requirements of rats is known to have lived here six years hundreds.
Daily diet of milk, water and sweets offered by the temple to keep the rats scampering throughout the complex. Like all Hindu, no shoes are allowed, forcing the visitors would sometimes make a difficult decision. I walk barefoot on marble floor where thousands of rats have been traveling? Initial reluctance to alter your body language tends to wash over who had doubts. In fact, it is well known to be good luck, if the rat runs the legs. Another rumor is probably partly to eat uneaten food previously eaten a rat. What might be stretching the imagination too far. No reports of disease, plague or other medical problems have been reported.
A band plays local Rajasthani in the shadow of the court, which members perform puja with a Brahmin priest in the sanctuary. Rats dash back and forth with smiles and cheers from the aliens. As for the white rat, I was “lucky” to see a just before their departure.
Plan an hour Deshnok rat temple. Deshnok, Rajasthan offers a lot more places that do not have to stay after seeing the Karni Mata rat. Refreshments and a variety of jewelry is sold across the street from the temple of Karni Mata.
Buses and trains run every day between Bikaner and / or Jodhpur. Taxis and private car service can also be rented in both cities.