Karni Mata Temple (Temple of Rats), Deshnok, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) at the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, Rajasthan, India

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) at the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, Rajasthan, India

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) at the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, Rajasthan, India

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) at the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, Rajasthan, India

Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) at the Karni Mata temple at Deshnok, Rajasthan, India

Hindu elephant-headed god Ganesha, Ganesh or Ganpati mounted on a rat, gilded relief, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, South India, India, Asia

Detail, rat temple of the Karni Devi, near Bikaner, Rajasthan, northern India, Asia

Sacred Rats, Karni Mata Temple or Rat Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Rat temple of Karni Devi, near Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, A traditionally decorated window with a dove on top, Rajasthan, North India, India

Rats of the Karni Mata Temple are believed to carry the souls of dead sadhus until their next reincarnation, Deshnok, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Sacred Rats, Karni Mata Temple or Rat Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Sacred Rats, Karni Mata Temple or Rat Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Sacred Rats, Karni Mata Temple or Rat Temple, Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India, Asia

Holy rats in Karni Mata (Rat Temple) in Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India.

Holy rats in Karni Mata (Rat Temple) in Deshnoke, Rajasthan, India.