Why in news?
A viral video of thousands of rats scurrying around a marble shrine in Rajasthan once again drew public attention to the Karni Mata Temple at Deshnoke. Devotees visiting the temple treat the rodents as sacred beings and consider feeding them an act of blessing. News reports highlighted the temple’s unusual customs and architecture, prompting curiosity among those unfamiliar with its history.
Background
Karni Mata Temple is located in the town of Deshnoke near Bikaner, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to Karni Mata, a female saint of the Charan community who lived in the 14th century and is revered as an incarnation of the goddess Durga. According to local legends, Karni Mata’s stepson, Laxman, drowned while drinking water. When the saint asked Yama, the god of death, to return him to life, Yama decreed that Laxman and all the male children of Karni Mata’s family would be reborn as rats within the temple. As a result, the rats (called kabba) are venerated as manifestations of her descendants.
Key features of the temple
- Sacred rats: More than 20,000 brown rats live in the temple complex. Devotees feed them milk and grains, believing that eating food nibbled by a rat brings good fortune. White rats, thought to represent Karni Mata and her sons, are particularly revered.
- Architectural style: The present marble structure was commissioned by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner in the early 20th century. It features silver doors intricately carved with depictions of the goddess and stories from the legends. The main sanctum houses a 75‑centimetre stone idol of Karni Mata adorned with flowers and jewellery.
- Cultural significance: The temple is a major pilgrimage site for the Charan community and attracts tourists from across the world. It remains open throughout the year but is especially crowded during the bi‑annual Navratri festivals when devotees queue to seek the saint’s blessings.
Why the rats are unafraid
The rats move freely within the temple because of the centuries‑old belief that harming them invites misfortune. Visitors are careful not to step on the animals. If a rat is accidentally killed, the person responsible must offer a silver or gold rat effigy to the goddess as penance. This unique harmony between humans and rodents has made the site famous as India’s “Rat Temple”.