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| Last Updated:: 25/08/2023

Rat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific name

 

Rattus rattus (Linn)

 

Common name

 

Black Rat

 

Hindi

 

Kala chuha

 

Sanskrit 

 

Unduruh

 

Distribution

 

Throughout India

 

Religious association

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In India, in the northwestern city of Deshnoke in Rajasthan, the Karni Mata (an incarnation of Goddess Durga) temple is devoted to the worship of rats.

 

 

The holy rats are called “Kabbas” and many people undertake pilgrimage from distant places to see the rodents. It is widely believed that the rats will reincarnate as sadhus or holy men in their next birth. The priests feed milk and grain to the animals of which also the pilgrims partake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: “Sacred Animals Of India” by  Nanditha Krishna,  (Penguin Book India, 2010) 

Image: https://www.crooked-compass.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Karni-Mata-Temple-Deshnoke-India2.jpg   

https://www.thespruce.com/important-facts-about-mice-and-rats-2656690