March 24, 2004

Holy Rats

Indian religion is renowned for its acceptance of all paths and all things as sacred. But surely nowhere does this religious eclecticism reaches greater heights than at the Deshnok Karni Mata Temple of Bikaner. But this self-proclaimed "Eighth Wonder of the World" is not a place for the faint of heart.



The literally thousands of rats that infest the temple are said to be reincarnations of a divine family come to the earth to bestow their blessings upon the faithful. And as befitting such holy rodent avatars, there is a constant stream of pilgrims who come to offer milk, candies and praise. No mouse traps or Rat Sack, just countless holy rats living it up in what must be rat heaven.



Now, your average rat is an ugly, mangy, filthy little critter prone to disease, fighting, gnawing and scurrying away from people at unnerving speeds. The rats at Deshnok Karni Mata Temple on the other hand are ugly, mangy, filthy critters prone to disease, fighting, gnawing and scurrying towards people at unnerving speeds.



But there is nothing to fear! To have one of the holy rodents scuttle across your temple bare feet (already caked in rat shit) is said to be rather auspicious. I had a very auspicious day!

Posted by Andrew Wallace @ 11:58 AM