Karni Mata Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Karni Mata at Deshnoke, 30 km from Bikaner, in Rajasthan, India. It is also known as the Temple of Rats.
Legend
It was told that Laxman, Karni Mata's stepson, drowned in a pond in Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat Tehsil while he was trying to drink from it. Karni Mata sought the help of Yama, the god of death, to revive his stepson. Yama eventually permitted Laxman and all of Karni Mata's male children to be reincarnated as rats. The Karni Mata Temple served as the house of all the rats believed to be Karni Mata's children.
Another version says that 20,000 strong armies deserted a nearby battle and ran to Deshnoke. They have committed the Sin of Desertion which is punishable by death. Karni Mata spared their lives but turned them into rats and gave them the Karni Mata Temple as a future place to stay. The army of soldiers expressed their gratitude and promised to serve Karni Mata forevermore.
It is believed that eating food that has been nibbled on by the rats of Karni Mata Temple is considered to be a high honor. If one of the rats is killed, it must be replaced with one made of solid silver.
Karni Mata Fair
Karni Mata Fair is held twice a year at Deshnok with the first and bigger fair held between March and April. It is during the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi. The second fair, on the other hand, is held between September and October. On the day of Navratri thousands of people travel to the temple by foot.
In Karmi Mata Temple, these holy rats are revered by their devotees as the Charin People believe that the rats are their ancestors.Seemingly it was reported that even during the worst of the plague, the town of Deshnok has not suffered the same fate as other places in India.
The worshippers make pilgrimages to the Karni Mata Temple not only to give reverence to the rats but to also have their ailments healed, says, The Planet D.
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