Pilgrimage to the Holy Rats: Imagery of the Deshnok Rat Temple

The Rat Temple in Deshnok is dedicated to rats.

 
Deshnok Rat Temple
Photos by Kristian Bertel: Temple priests tend to the rats by constantly refilling large bowls of milk. In the heart of the temple, the shrine, there is a huge bowl filled with prasaad (sugar balls). It is a shocking sight as it is totally overrun with countless rats.

The Rat Temple is also called ‘Karni Mata’, named after a woman, who was born in the 14th century. She was an incarnation of Durga, the goddess of power and victory. During her lifetime she performed many miracles. When one of her clansmen died and she was unable to bring him back to life and she asked Yama, the god of death to bring him back to life. Yama could not because the clansman had already been reincarnated.

Karni Mata made an agreement with Yama that from now on all of her tribespeople would be reborn as rats until they could be born back into the clan.

 
The rats
It is regarded auspicious, if a rat (kaba) runs across one’s feet. Even, a glimpse of kaba (white rat) is considered promising and fruitful. Twice a year, a festival is celebrated in the honor of Karni Mata. A grand fair is organized during this time and people come here to seek the blessings of the Goddess.

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