Travelling Storyeller – Karni Mata Temple

Wednesday, January 12, 2011 Goto comments Leave a comment Blog

Rajasthan Storytelling

I’ve heard that Rajasthan has a great tradition of storytelling, epic singers learn tales that take days in the telling and are world renowned for their art. Perhaps because of my love of Goddess stories or perhaps because I have a thirst for the eccentric, when I heard about the temple of Karni Mata – I made a beeline.

Storytelling Rats

Ever wonder what will happen to you after you die? Some people believe they go to heaven, some to paradise and others that they will be reincarnated.

The Depavats, descendants of the Charan tribe, don’t have to wonder, they know – they will be reincarnated as rats.

A Temple with a Difference

In Deshnoke, Rajasthan, there is a temple dedicated to the Mystic Karni Mata. She is an incarnation of Durga, wife to Hindu God Shiva.

This temple, crowned with the trident symbol of Karni Mata and the red flags of Durga is famous worldwide for 20,000 very particular reasons, the rats.

That’s right, 20,000 rats call this temple their home and the disciples of Karni Mata bring offerings to these rats in the shape of food.

If a rat runs over your feet you’re considered lucky, if you see a white one even luckier.

There has to be a story behind that one!

Well there is, click here to read it.