Sacred Rat

In Deshnok, outside Bikaner, in Rajasthan India, there lies the Karni Mata temple. There the rats are worshipped as holy followers of the goddess Karni Mata. These rats have never known disease, and have the temperament of puppy dogs. They accept offerings of milk and food pellets from human visitors, who often come for a pilgrimage, or as tourists who will search for the rare white rats that are said to bring special karma. On a visit here, I was fortunate to not only witness two white rats, but also to take a curious rat on a short joyride atop my camera lens where he decided to take a rest when I wasn't looking.
© 2005