Raisar (Bikaner) is situated in the middle of the Thar Desert and has a hot desert climate with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures. In summer temperatures can exceed 45 °C, and during the winter they may dip below freezing.
The most world famous Hindu temple dedicated to Karni Mata also known as "Temple of Rats" is at Deshnoke, 30 kms south from Bikaner on the road to Jodhpur. Karni Mata (date of birth and death traditionally believed by followers to be 2 October 1387 – 23 March 1538) was a female Hindu sage born in the Charan caste. She is worshiped as the incarnation of Goddess Durga by her followers. She is an official deity of the royal family of Jodhpur and Bikaner. She lived an ascetic life and was widely revered during her own lifetime. The temple is famous for its Rats approx. 20,000 called kabbas, which are treated as sacred and given protection in the temple. Out of all of the thousands of rats in the temple, there are a few white rats, which are considered to be especially holy. They are believed to be the manifestations of Karni Mata herself and her four sons. Sighting them is a special blessing and visitors put in extensive efforts to bring them forth, offering Prasad, a sweet holy food. Eating Prasad, food that has been nibbled on, by the rats is considered to be a "high honor". If one of them is killed, it must be replaced with one made of solid gold. Karni Mata is also referred to as Nari Bai/Ridhu Bai.
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