Karni Mata Temple:
A recent viral video has once again brought global attention to one of India’s most unusual temples – the Karni Mata Temple, also known as the ‘Rat Temple’ of Rajasthan.
- Karni Mata Temple, also known as the Madh Deshnoke, is a prominent Hindu shrine located in the town of Deshnoke, 30 km south of Bikaner, in Rajasthan.
- The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, who the locals believe is an incarnation of Goddess Durga.
- Karni Mata was a Hindu warrior sage from the Charan caste who lived in the fourteenth century.
- Living the life of an ascetic, Karni Mata was highly revered by the locals and earned many followers too.
- Having received requests from the Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner, she even laid the foundation stones of the Mehrangarh and Bikaner Forts.
- Although there are many temples dedicated to her, this temple in the town of Deshnoke is the most widely recognized.
- It is also known as the Temple of Rats.
- It is home to over 20,000 revered rats, called kaba, making it one of the most unique spiritual landmarks in India.
- Out of all the rats, white rats are held specifically sacred as they are believed to be the incarnations of Karni Mata and her sons.
- The present structure of the Karni Mata Temple was completed in the early 20th century under Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner.
- Built entirely of marble, the temple’s design bears Mughal architectural influences.
- Its silver doors are intricately carved with scenes from the goddess’s legends, while the sanctum houses a 75-centimetre idol of Karni Mata holding a trident and adorned with a silver crown and garlands.
