A Hindu temple where 20,000 rats run free is not for the faint of heart.
But many curious tourists travel from far and wide to see the Karni Mata in Deshnoke, Bikaner District, India.
The rodents are given free reign at the site because they’re considered holy, as reported on What’s The Jam.
Devout Hindus travel to the place of worship – dubbed the Temple of Rats – from all over India and beyond to pay their respects to the long-tailed, hairy creatures.
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The temple staff protect them from predators and they live off the food offerings dedicated to the goddess of the same name.
The ornate temple, which features marble and solid silver, was built in the early 20th century.
It’s dedicated to Karni Mata, who represents power and victory.
According to local tradition, 20,000 army soldiers once deserted a nearby battle and ran to Deshnoke.
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As desertion carried the death penalty, Mata, after learning what they’d done, spared their lives by turning them into rats.
The grateful soldiers, in turn, promised to serve her forever.
The few white rats among the temple’s black-rat majority are said to represent Karni Mata and her four sons.
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Hurting or killing a rat at the temple, even by mistake, is considered a grave sin.
It’s not uncommon to see the faithful dragging their feet there instead of lifting them so there’s no chance any rat will be harmed.
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