A safe space for the sacred rats
Exciting and astonishing, this hallowed abode hosts over 25,000 rats who eat, sleep, and roam the premises. The rats are believed to protect the temple while bestowing blessings upon devotees.
Without fear of harm, these rats, locally known as "kabbas," live unruffled in one of India's most popular tourist destinations and religious places. The whole experience of visiting this temple flooded with a family of rats running across the floors and nibbling at the sacred food offerings, is utterly intriguing.
Protective wires ensure the safety of these revered creatures, shielding them from prey while allowing an up-close encounter with this remarkable coexistence of animal and human worlds – a truly one-of-a-kind phenomenon.
The legends of Karni Mata
Woven into the very fabric of the Karni Mata Temple are legends that transcend the boundaries of the ordinary, tales that have been whispered through generations. It is said that in the 14th century, within the Charan clan, Karni Mata was born as a reincarnation of the fierce Goddess Durga herself. When tragedy struck, and her son's life was cruelly snatched away, Karni Mata's unwavering devotion led her to strike a bargain with Yama, the god of death. In exchange for her son's return, she vowed that the souls of her clansmen would forever roam the earth as sacred rats, destined to be reincarnated as humans upon their eventual demise.
This folklore, steeped in the rich Hindu mythology, holds a respectful place in the hearts of the locals, who regard it not as mere myth but as a mystical truth. In the cyclical nature of life and death, the belief that the end is merely a prelude to a new beginning lends sanctity to this extraordinary tale.
It is also believed that paying homage to these revered creatures invites good fortune, health, and prosperity into one's life. Such age-old traditions, mystery, and mystique attract pilgrims from far and wide to the temple's carved portals, erected in the early 20th century by Maharaja Ganga Singh.
