My eyes were glued to the sight of numerous rats meandering
- Rats at Deshnok Temple
freely on the marble floors of Deshnok temple in Bikaner, Rajasthan. As I moved further into the temple I saw some rats were busy feasting on the prasad, some were sleeping peacefully in the corners and many of them were clumped on the edges of milk bowls. The views were truly overwhelming. They seemed not to be bothered by the presence of human beings. May be they knew how important they were in the eyes of people at this temple. The rats (locally known as Kabba) are considered holy at this temple and there is an interesting legend associated with it. It s believed that they are the incarnations of Karni Mata, the preceding deity of the temple.
I had heard a lot about this unique Deshnok temple where around 20,000 rodents live a luxurious life. Sitting pretty and enjoying the food and respect offered by devotees who come to the temple, no wonder these rodents are no less than Raja-Maharajas. What luck! Deshnok Temple, also known as Karni Maa Temple, is an interesting holy site where rats are worshipped. This is 600 year old temple has a wire grill covering its courtyard to prevent birds from feasting on the holy rats. Not only this, the temple has holes and tunnels to facilitate the rats to move around freely.
As I was heading to the main shrine, a rat ran over my feet. For a moment I felt quite uneasy. However, my uneasiness faded away when a devotee at the temple who had also seen that rat running over my feet walked up to me and said, “ You are fortunate as the sighting of a white rat in the temple is considered a blessing from the goddess”. She even told me that out of thousands of rats, there are only 4 or 5 white rats in the temple. And it is not easy to sight them. Wow! I felt great.
The lady who told me about the white rat was from Deshnok village itself. I interacted with her and asked her several questions regarding the temple. One of the facts that left me speechless was that despite the presence of thousands of rats in the temple, Deshnok village never faced any incident of plague or any other rat borne disease. No wonder this is the magic of the goddess.
Posted by Sanjog | Posted in Rajasthan Wildlife | Posted on 23-07-2009
My pulse was racing when I reached incredible Rajasthan to
- Ranthambhore National Park
explore its wildlife. A home to some of the finest wildlife destinations, this state has always fascinated me. I went there purely for a wildlife holiday and came back ‘completely overwhelmed’.
My first halt was the royal Ranthambore National Park, a home to the ferocious tigers and a variety of other wildlife. Encompassing an impressive 1,334 sq km of land, the Park is located in the Sawai Madhour district of Rajasthan. The Park is divided into five zones and we were in the third zone, which offers bright chances of sighting a tiger. The path to this zone is lined with dry dhok, thokra, mango, supari and imli trees. We saw many langurs jumping from tree to tree as if flaunting their fitness. They seemed to be least bothered by our presence.
My most memorable moment inside the Park was when I caught sight of a tiger at the Padam Talao( the first and the largest of three lakes inside the third zone). The tiger was busy quenching his thirst. Sensing our presence, the tiger turned back and looked at us for a few seconds and then made his way deep into the forest. It was a sight that will always remain in my memory. My joy knew no bounds as I saw the tiger from close quarters.
As I and K.P Singh, my guide meandered our way into the Park, we were rewarded with the sights of sloth bear, wild boar, monitor lizard, sambar, mongoose, nilgai and porcupines. I was feeling elated as fortune was on our side.
Posted by Sanjog | Posted in Rajasthan Tour | Posted on 16-07-2009
For those dreaming to sit in the lap of luxury, a trip to Rajasthan is the answer. It is a land of raja-maharajas dotted with stunning and luxurious palaces. Offering first hand royal experience of the rich cultural heritage of the state, the palaces transport visitors to the glorious era of the royal kings. The palaces are built on hills, desert and even in the middle of lakes. The imposing facades of these royal structures will undoubtedly leave you stunned. The architecture of each palace has its own unique charm. Immerse yourself in the incredibly luxurious and royal aura of the palaces and make your holidays memorable.
- Amer Palace, Jaipur
From Rajput to Mughal and European, the palaces of Rajasthan reflect superb architectural creativity.The interiors of the palaces are done to perfection. Most of the palaces have museums displaying the weapons, costumes, paintings and other belongings of the kings of the yesteryears. The moment you step into these royal structures you will feel as if you have entered a kingdom of a king.
Some of the palaces of Rajasthan have been converted into heritage hotels to give tourists a real taste of royalty. The warm hospitality offered at these heritage properties is simply unmatched.
I explored some of the famed palaces of Rajasthan, which are:
Amer Palace, Jaipur
Located inside the fortified Amer Fort, the palace reflects the splendor of Mughal architecture.
City Palace, Jaipur
The huge complex of this palace encompasses several stunning structures housing amazing attractions.
City Palace, Udaipur
Located on a hill, the palace boasts of incredibly beautiful interiors. It houses several wonderful apartments, each having its own share of attractions to offer.
Lake Palace, Udaipur
It is like a poetry in white marble. Located in the middle of a lake, the palace is a great attraction. It has an amazing romantic aura.
