Karni Mata Temple (A Unique Rat Temple) Near Bikaner

Visit a unique temple dedicated to rats that is situated just outside the city of Bikaner in the West Indian state of Rajasthan. The rats, over 25 000 of them, are worshipped here and regarded as the children of the Goddess Karni Mata. The solid silver doors of this temple are another major attraction. The doors have panels depicting scenes from the legends of the Goddess.

Highlights
• Around 25,000 rats that are fed, protected and worshipped in the temple
• Rats can be seen here eating from huge metal bowls of milk, sweets and grains
• Solid silver gates of the temple

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Karni Mata Temple that is about 20 miles from Bikaner.

Upon arrival visit the temple along with your local guide. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata - an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that the son of Karni Mata drowned in a pond of water while attempting to drink from it. Karni Mata prayed to the God of Death, Yama, to revive her son. At first Yama refused but relented later and granted a boon to Karni Mata that all her sons would be reincarnated as rats. The rats of the temple are considered to be holy and to date there has been no incident of disease or sickness associated with this temple. Eating food that has been nibbled by these rats is considered to be a great honor.

The Temple has huge silver gates and marble carvings that were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner.

Spend some time at the temple and if you are lucky you may even spot a white rat, considered to be a special blessing

At the end of the visit, you will be driven back to Bikaner and dropped off at your hotel.