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Located in the small town of Deshnoke in the state of Rajasthan, India, the Karni Mata Temple is a unique and intriguing place of worship that draws visitors from around the world. Known as the Rat Temple, this sacred site is home to thousands of rats that are revered by devotees and believed to be reincarnations of Karni Mata's family members.
This bizarre yet fascinating temple offers a glimpse into the rich cultural and religious traditions of India, making it a must-see destination for those seeking an unforgettable travel experience.
You might wonder why anyone would want to visit a temple riddled with rats. The answer is quite simple: because Shri Karni Mata Temple is the only one of its kind in the whole world. That was reason enough for me to want to go! I was also interested in learning more on why this temple was dedicated to rats, one of the most hated rodents.
So, was how was my visit? Continue reading as I share my experience on visiting the Rat Temple in India!
HOW TO VISIT SHRI KARNI MATA TEMPLE IN DESHNOKE
HOW TO GET TO THE RAT TEMPLE OF DESHNOKE
Deshnoke is about 30 km from the town of Bikaner where most travelers choose to stay. The best (read: most interesting) and cheapest way to get to Deshnoke is by taking a local bus for just a few rupees. The driver knows most travellers take this bus to go to the temple so he will let you know when you arrive.
The bus will stop in front of the sign indicating the direction of the temple. Shri Karni Mata is a few hundred meters from the road where the bus stops. You can either walk about 5-10 minutes or take a tuk-tuk to get to the temple (which, in my opinion, isn't worth the hassle).
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING THE RAT TEMPLE IN DESHNOKE
There's no entrance fee to visit the Rat Temple. Visitors are asked to remove their shoes but can keep their socks on. I preferred going in barefoot; I figured it was better to clean my feet afterwards than to keep filthy socks on in my shoes. I suggest you bring hand sanitizer and wipes for both your hands and feet.
WHAT IS SHRI KARNI MATA TEMPLE?
Devotees of Karni Mata firmly believe that each person of their faith is reincarnated as a rat rendering them as holy. There are different versions as to why this is but the end result is the same: rats are to be highly revered deserving of their very own temple.
Pilgrims from all over India make their way to the Shri Karni Mata Temple to pay their respects to the holy rats known as kabbas. The temple is also home to a few white rats said to be much holier than any of the other rats.
I noticed parents reaching out their children’s hands to touch the white rats as a blessing as well as bring good fortune.
The rats were more big-mouse-size than sewer-rat-size but, a rat is a rat no matter what size it is! The holy rats were scurrying about everywhere. I mean, everywhere! They were coming out of every crevice and hole. It was really hard to avoid having them run over my feet or nibble at my toes. Dodging scurrying rats and puddles of pee at the same time was very challenging, haha.
Luckily, I did mange to avoid any contact with the critters. I tip-toed the whole time I was there and kept my eyes on the ground. I had to control myself from squirming and screeching out of respect for the devotees and their holy rats.
As holy as the rats are, the temple itself is filthy (hence, the wipes and sanitizer). The smell of rat poop and urine was horrible so I also suggest bringing something to cover your nose.
There’s a shrine in the back of the temple where male devotees feed the rats. Large bowls are filled with milk and rice while hundreds of rats scurry to eat. Non-Hindu women are not permitted to enter the enclosed area but I was able to get close enough to take pictures of this unusual ritual.
Save for myself, no one was bothered by the rats. The sight of men casually sitting cross-legged with rats running around them was surreal. I never thought I would see something like that in my life!
Then again, I was in India, the land of the unexpected.
I admit none of this sounds appealing enough to visit the Rat Temple of Deshnoke but I’m still happy I went. I got to experience unique religious practices honoring one of the most hated rodents. It's not every day someone can say they hung out with holy rats.
After all, Shri Karni Mata is the only one of its kind in the whole world!
READ MORE ON INDIA:
- A Celebration at the Border of India and Pakistan
- On Not Falling in Love With the Taj Mahal
- Introducing the Great Rann of Kutch of Gujarat
- The Slums of Dharavai: A Highlight of my Trip in India
- Cruising Along the Backwaters of Alleppey in Kerala
- The Holy City of Varanasi: Where Life Returns to Ashes
TRAVEL RESOURCES:
- Verify visa requirements for India on the official website
- Book flights to India via Skyscanner
- Compare hotel prices in India on Booking.com & Agoda
- Check hostel prices on HostelWorld
- Stay connected using an Airalo E-sim for India
- Search for tours & excursions in India
- Shop for affordable travel insurance with SafetWing
- Save on conversion fees while traveling with Wise
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I’m the founder and creator of Life Untraveled. I quit my corporate job, sold everything I owned and have been traveling full-time since 2018. I hope to inspire you to travel differently on a budget.
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Claire and Rosemary
You are much braver than I ever would be. I’m so scared of rats and would never be tempted to visit. Fascinating to read though, and that’s about it 🙂
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Admittedly it’s not for everyone….lol! 😉
Sridhar Salian
Looks like it attracts numerous tourists and pilgrims due to its unique presiding beings. i love the way you have return you experience in this blog and written about such unique temples in the world.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Thanks Sridhar! It was quite a unique experience. 🙂
Melody Pittman
Omg. I don’t know whether to laugh or be scared. LOL I’m terrified of rats so I can assure you I would never have walked in the door. 😉
TravellingMom
I would visit the Rat Temple, but without socks it’s a bit iffy. Now that I’ve read of your very interesting experience, I’d bring a pair of disposable socks for sure! Or two shower caps. 😉
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
An extra pair of socks (or shower caps….haha) is a good idea!
Antonette Spaan
Ohh you are so brave for going inside. I actually saw a big fat rat in the sewer down the street the other day and I can’t help but just be scared of them …
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
These rats are quite small – nothing like sewer rats but they’re rats just the same…lol!
Danik Bates
Wow! I think I saw this on television a few weeks ago. Crazy place to go into especially during the night. 😀 great write up and love the photos 🙂
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I wouldn’t go at night! I had a hard time keeping my eyes on every rat and that was enough for me!
Carol Perehudoff
Well I’m with you. I wouldn’t be able to pass up a rat temple either. I actually like rats, they’re friendly and smart, although they did spread the plague. You had me right up until the dirty floors with rat urine. Ick. I still think it would be a fascinating place to visit.
Carol
Goose pimples all over me! But I should go because my Chinese lunar sign is a RAT!
Indrani
You are lucky to have visited it from a tourist point of view! This is something so rare! But I was disappointed to know the place stinks. I wish they kept it clean but then with all those rats will it be possible? I hope I can make it there some day.
Vyjay Rao
Have heard a lot about this temple, not been there yet. It is indeed unique because of the rats and probably that is what draws so many people to it. But it does feel creepy though.
Karla Ramos
Uhhhhhh rats…. uhhhh can’t but then if its something that other culture celebrates then it would be nice to experience it.
Buddy The Traveling Monkey
Wow, that is just so crazy! I think it’s cool that now you can say you’ve been there and experienced it though. I think that I would do it too, but definitely in socks (with an extra pair waiting for when I was done).
Nathan
I really wanted to go here last time I was in India but I didn’t get a chance to make it! I hope to go next time I visit the country.
Sindhu Murthy
Hi Lidia. Good to hear you liked this weird experience. I was in Rajasthan recently but couldn’t make it to the rat temple. Hoping to visit it during my visit.
WyldfamilyTravel
what an amazing experience i am sure this would freak alot of people out. i would also be keen to visit since its a one off site that does not exist anywhere else in the world.I have never seen so many rats in one place
Kerri McConnel
Ok so that is unique, I’ll give it that. Not something that would make me want to go. I’m pleased I have read about this here and now know that it’s not something for me.
Noel Morata
I saw this on the Amazing race and they entered the temple at night time which was really freaky, but it looks just as bad during the day time – no thank you!
Frank Thomae
Hmm, no thanks.
Most don’t like too big though, more like mice than rats. I’ll never forget that time when saw a huge rat climbing up a snowbank – in Montreal of all places! First time I had seen one in 25 years of living there.
Frank (bbqboy)
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
It’s definitely not for everyone (my boyfriend almost vomited from the smell)! Most of them were quite small but they were rats nonetheless and I didn’t want them scrambling on my feet. I live in Montreal and I’ve never seen a rat (I know there are plenty in the sewers though) but I saw huge ones in Thailand!
Clare Colley
I am not sure I could of gone there!! Though when I was in Nepal there were quite a few rats hanging around at temples but nothing like this!! Think I might of run off screaming!!!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I’ve also seen quite a few rats on my travels in Asia but these rats were much smaller (and “cleaner”) than street rats. If that’s any consolation….lol! 😉
Helene
oh god that last picture killed me !!! The temple looks amazing but I’m not sure I would have been brave enough to do it!!! I guess it is truly something not everyone experience in a lifetime! I’m so admirative you did that !! I’m not sure I would go but I’m glad I know about it and pin it ! 😉
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Yes once in a lifetime – not sure I would go back! Thanks for commenting & pinning. 🙂
Helene
you’re welcomed 😉
Punita Malhotra
Whoa! First, I would never have the courage to even step into a temple with so many rats, and second, if I landed there in a trance…I would scream my lungs out! 🙂
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
haha…..I did want to let out a few squeals but I held back out of respect (though I’m sure the devotees are used to foreigners being freaked out).
Coleman Concierge
There was a time in my life where I would have gone crazy for this post. You see, I had a stuffed rat growing up. We were very poor as my parents were half starving college students and they sewed him out of an old raincoat and stuffed him with a half dead pillow. I had many stuffed animals growing up but Ratty was my favorite. You never know what some people will like or treasure and it seems like you have found a truly, one of kind experience.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
I never thought my visit to the rat temple would hold such special memories for someone. Thank you for sharing such an intimate story – it’s very touching.
Kassie- The Fly Away Life
Wow you are brave! Going to a temple overrun by rats isn’t high up on my list. Though being in your shoes I think I would go to out of sheer curiosity. Not sure I could have resisted screeching about the rats though!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
It was actually one of the places I really wanted to go to in India only because it’s the only one in the world. I did hold back a few screeches though….lol!
sarah martin
Fascinating. But there is no way in hell you would get me barefoot inside. Actually even the photos creeped me out a little.
Like you said, it is a unique experience though.
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
You can wear socks! 😉
Natalie Tanner
Wow. So interesting and really creepy! I would consider visiting, but then you said you had to be barefoot…….um….not sure I could handle that!! LOL! You are a brave explorer!
Lydia@Lifeuntraveled.com
Hi Natalie! You can wear socks but I didn’t have a spare pair and I didn’t want to be wearing filthy socks the rest of the day. 🙂