"Near the desert town of Bikaner is  Deshnoke, here you find the temple of the Gajner Palace. 30 Km from Bikaner, the 600 -year old temple is dedicated to Karni Mata. .It plays host to thousands of rats. The rats are considered sacred and worshipped. .Karni Mata, born in the 14th century, was an incarnation of Durga, the goddess of power and victory. During her lifetime she performed many miracles.. Near the town of Bikaner is Deshnoke, you find the temple of the Gajner Palace. 30 Km from Bikaner, the 600 -year old temple is dedicated to Karni Mata.<br /> It plays host to thousands of rats. The rats are considered sacred and worshipped.<br /> The temple has huge intricately silver gates donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh.<br /> <br /> Rats running all over the place, every corner and niche was crawling with them.<br /> Temple priests tend to the rats by constantly refilling large bowls of milk and in the heart of the temple, the shrine, there is a huge bowl filled with Prasad (sugar balls). <br /> It is also highly likely, if not a certainty, that a ""holy rat"" will run over your feet, if so, it is considered a blessing.<br /> If a white rat is sighted then you are especially spiritually graced. Eating food or drinking water that previously has been sampled by a rat is considered to be a supreme blessing"
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