Get a load of this picture...

[Ravnos]

The Karni Mata temple in Bikaner, India is dedicated to a mystic who was believed to be the avatar of the goddess Durga - the temple is full of rats, it is believed that the rats will be reincarnated as holy men so the worshippers feed and care for the rats. It is considered good luck to have a rat run over you. There are a scant few albino rats in the temple, they are believed to be the future incarnation of the mystics.

The story goes something like: a woman brought her recently deceased son to Karni Mata, but the God of Death said her son had already chosen a new reincarnated form and could not be recalled to his old body. Karni refused to accept it, and ever after her tribe of people would automatically be reincarnated as rats, and when the rats died, they would be reborn back into the same tribe again instead of choosing a random form. Hindu stories are so fascinating.

Rav

[heavensmom]

UMMM....EWWWWW im sorry im just not a rat person. although this picture is intersting i just dont completly understand this concept of worshipping rats

[Deja]

I watched a show about this temple and the rats on Discovery -
I too think that Hindu stories are extremely facinating. It's such a complex culture, rich and deep traditions... engrossing.

I think the picture is interesting. When I first looked at it I thought it was the same temple that I'd seen the show about.
Thanks for telling the story Rav!

[Jodi]

hmmmm, very interesting story & picture....but....I'm just glad that I live in NC.

[Deja]

Jodi yah- kinda makes me glad I live where I do too... even though!... it's rural where I live, I have heard rumors that some pretty hefty rats have been sighted! Maybe there is lots for them to eat out in the farm fields? I dunno - I'm a city girl!

[ratman]

HEY don't diss rats they are cool and they are great pets to have if ur a person that can see past long tail and fangs

Right on Ratman!

Rats are awesome creatures. Like a combo of cats and dogs (and I have cats, dogs, and rats!). They're intelligent, sweet, loving animals!

Someone mentioned "disease carriers". In fact, your normal cat or dog is more of a disease carrier than your fancy rat. Rats got the reputation as disease carriers from the days of the Black Death, or Bubonic Plague. The fleas on the rats were the carriers, not the rats themselves...hence, a dog or cat carried it as well, but you don't see people being squeamish about them!

[lilratscal]

Oh boy rattie heaven!!! My rats all want to go to India no! They are sacred and considered lucky over there and they live in the temples and have free range too. Cool!!!!
Rats are the cleanest, sweetest and most intelligient of all rodents! Just ask me ya know giggle! I have had them for over 20 years and breed them even for pet therapy in hospitals for kids. I have blues, siamese, Hairless, and in dumbos well...they are adorable :-D

[Raiquee]

I think its a great picture! Every living creature needs to be loved, no matter the reputation