Yep you read that correctly, rats glorious rats, NOT rain glorious rain. Just outside Bikaner here in Rajasthan, India, lies a rat temple that’s occupied by thousands of … rats. The temple is active and many Indians retire here for a short time each day to pray.
Wading through rat excrement and urine – not to mention Pigeon faeces – doesn’t deter the most committed religious believer.
Avoid the … Mess!
I gingerly ambled through the temple, carefully avoiding those rats determined to physically scale humans and sprint up their legs hoping to make it to the torso or the apex of their ambitious journey … the head! More often the rats are more inclined to just nibble and gnaw at ones ankles. Children are often the most squeamish and withdraw sharply as a rat approaches.
These conditions didn’t deter my journey to the Karni Mata Temple (Rat Temple) even after reading the vividly grim description of the occupants, and indeed the descriptions made the visit more appealing!
Rat Temple Etiquette
I removed my shoes according to temple etiquette. Curiously many of the local Indians starred at my feet before raising their bewildered eyes to meet mine. I had temporarily traded my trainers for two plastic covers that envelope the feet and protect one from the inevitability of stepping in faeces. None, it appeared, of the local visitors adopted any measures to cover their feet; instead they were content to nonchalantly amble bare-foot through the ‘deposits’ left by the rats and pigeons. I was clearly displaying hysteric behaviour with my cautiousness.
But the Karni Mata Temple isn’t a tourist attraction, indeed I was the sole tourist present. 30 kilometres from Bikaner, the rat temple is home to approximately 20,000 rats! Not considered pests, these rodents are Holy and called Kabbas. The temple draws visitors from across the country, many of whom have travelled great distances to pay their respects and offer their blessings.
Rats in Hindu Mythology
Rats have a special place in Hindu mythology. Legend says that Laxman, Kari Mata’s stepson drowned in a pond while he was attempting to drink from it. Karni Mata begged Yama the God of death to revive him. Initially refusing and eventually relenting, Yama permitted Laxman and all of Karni Mata’s children to be reincarnated as rats. Like many folklores and legends, variations of this tale exist, although this is the one that was related to me.
The rats are thus important creatures in this temple. One can watch devotees feeding and making offerings to these sacred creatures. If anybody is wondering, the temple and rats are plague free. Of the thousands of rats that dwell in the temple, a few have white fur. These are considered to be particularly Holy and sacred.
Curiously there is no trace of perished or decomposing rats. Conversely, no infant or baby rats are visible. The cycle of life is concealed and appears non-existent to worshipper or tourist. A distinct lack of any life cycle is evident. Curious and fascinating.
If you enjoyed this article you may also like this one HERE which explores the erotic temples of Khajuraho in northern India.
For more information on the rat temple please visit the Wikipedia page.