Karni Mata Temple (A Unique Rat Temple) Near Bikaner

Upon arrival visit the temple along with your local guide. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata - an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that the son of Karni Mata drowned in a pond of water while attempting to drink from it. Karni Mata prayed to the God of Death, Yama, to revive her son. At first Yama refused but relented later and granted a boon to Karni Mata that all her sons would be reincarnated as rats. Eating food that has been nibbled by these rats is considered to be a great honor. The Temple has huge silver gates and marble carvings that were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. Spend some time at the temple and if you are lucky you may even spot a white rat, considered to be a special blessing. At the end of the visit, you will be driven back to Bikaner and dropped off at your hotel.