The presiding deity
of the same-named temple in the hamlet of Deshnok in Rajasthan's state.
Karni Mata is a localized version of the Mother Goddess,
named after the spot where a severed goddess Sati's ear (karni) fell to earth.
Thousands of rats, who are considered Karni Mata's
offspring, live in the shrine, making it unique.
Karni Mata's kid perished in a nearby pond, according to
local legend.
When she attempted to persuade Yama, the god of death, to
grant her son a better reincarnation, she was informed that he had already been
reincarnated as a rat.
Yama agreed to have all of her male descendants born as rats
at the Deshnok temple at her request.
Yama agreed that the rats would be reincarnated as family
members of the temple employees in the next life.
The rats and the temple priests are all members of the same
extended family, according to this legend.
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