On the fringes of the Great Indian Desert lies Deshnoke, a small village which pales in comparison to the rest of India’s stunning landscape. Should one delve deeper however, one might discover the Karni Mata – India’s temple of rats. According to locals and legends, the 20,000 rats are said to be the earthly reincarnations of Karni Mata – a 15th century sage and healer.

Karni Mata, revered for her generosity and supernatural abilities, was thought to have her earthly representations in the rodents. Whilst first time visitors squirm and dodge large swarms of rats, the experienced initiated make their way to make offerings in the centre of the temple where a statue of Karni Mata lies. 

Some devotees even drink from the bowl the rats bathe and play in, eat the crumbs left behind by the rodents and sleep in the temple as the mammals scurry all over their bodies. The reason for this all has to do with Hindu religion – or rather religions. A phenomenon of varying beliefs and practices, with thousands of gods and goddesses, all of this might seem bizarre for a Westerner. 

Some hope to encounter white albino rats for extra fortune, as the adoration of the rats is set to bring good luck. Divinity in this temple differs far from the sacred sites we know in churches. With rats eating their own after passing, visitors are often left bewildered by what goes on in the temple. 

This includes one particular man who is a constant presence at the temple. He simply goes by the name of ‘the son of the goddess Karni Devi.’ For people like him, the goddess provides everything needed in life. The divine permeates all of existence according to Hinduism – this includes the rats in this specific sect. 

#MaltaDaily