Quite an iconic temple in deshnok which is located 30 miles south of Bikaner. It is known for being populated with a swarm of rats that are considered very holy. Legend has it the sage Karnimata whose son, Laxman once drowned in a tank and died. The sage forced Yamraj who is the Lord of death to bring him back to life. Moved by the pious mother’s devotion Yamraj breathed life back into Laxman and blessed him successive birth as a rat.

Here, right when you enter you’ll find a lot of rats that scurry around. There’s a bowl of milk kept near the sanctum which is served first to rats, then to visitors as offerings. Although your impulse may tell you not to drink the infested milk, go ahead and try it. Strangely enough the milk does not get contaminated and even the rats are not plague filled. In fact many sweet preparations are made by using the same milk. Even the architecture of the temple is beautiful and is quite intricate.

• There are about 20,000 rats in this temple.
• Remover footwear before entering.

• Video camera: 50 INR
• Still camera: 20 INR

• Ask locals for direction. Walk or take a rikshaw if possible.

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