Karni Mata Temple; It is located in the city of Rajasthan in northwest India. Dedicated to Goddess Karni Mata, this Hindu temple is also known as the “Temple of Mice”. The rats in the temple, where approximately 25,000 rats live, are respected and worshiped. This temple, which many people visit to pay their respects, also attracts great attention from tourists. This interesting temple, which is famous for mice, has also been the subject of many documentaries.
Visitors from many countries of the world are in a race to see the rats called Kabbas and to feed them. Above the doors in the temple are instructions on what kind of food should be given to the mice. The leftovers of mice, which are considered sacred, are consumed by some people. Consuming these dishes is considered a kind of blessing. Mice are considered a harmful, disease-spreading pest in many parts of the world. However, these rats in the temple do not spread disease and do not bite people.
Killing, harassing and chasing mice is strictly prohibited. In order not to harm the rats, it is necessary to take off the shoes before stepping into the temple. Due to the intensity of visits to the temple, some rats were crushed. Such a situation is considered a sin. If a mouse is harmed or crushed in any way, it is necessary to buy a mouse statue from the temple and donate it to the temple for the forgiveness of this sin.
The rare white rats, which are usually found in the temple where the black rats live, are of greater importance. The temple is surrounded by wire fences so that other animals do not harm the mice. The rats living in the temple can move through the passages or holes in the walls. In the open area, it consumes the milk and food given.
The Reason Rats Are Considered Sacred
Located in Deshnoke, 30 km from Bikaner in Rajasthan, India, the foundations of this temple were laid in the 15th century and completed in the 20th century. In front of the temple is a beautiful marble facade with silver gates built by Maharaja Ganga Singh. Various legends of Karni Mata Goddess are depicted on the silver doors. The image of the goddess is located in the sacred area in the interior.
An interesting legend is told about rats being considered sacred. Legend has it that Karni Mata’s stepson drowned while trying to drink water from a lake. The goddess who wanted to resurrect her son asked for help from the goddess of death. The goddess of death accepted this request in exchange for turning all the sons of Karni Mata into mice. There is a belief that the mice in the temple are the sons of the goddess. According to another legend; These rats, named Kabbas, are believed to be soldiers fleeing during the war at Deshnoke. The fleeing soldiers were turned into rats and imprisoned in the temple instead of the death penalty.
