KARNI MATA
Hindu Reincarnation Goddess
This is the Goddess of Rat Reincarnation
Although she was a 14th century historical figure known as Ridhubai, she is still going strong and has a plush temple crawling with cuddlesome plague-carrying vermin.
Her devotees believe her to be an incarnation of Durga. The story goes that she was so upset by God of Death Yama’s refusal to restore a storyteller’s dead son to life that she took matters into her own hands.
Result: The son was reincarnated as a rat — whether he liked it or not. And now her temple is full of rodents, all of them the sacred souls of minstrels, storytellers... and perhaps even writers of entertaining mythology websites.
Long ago we decided to avoid the rat pack, and this temple is probably no exception. But there are perks if you want to return as a rat. Free cheese for life, a very appreciative worshiping audience, and if you do meet an untimely death, a little golden statue to remember you by.
Karni Mata Facts and Figures
Name: Karni Mata
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names:
Gender: Female
Type: Goddess
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present
Role:
In charge of: Reincarnation
Area of expertise: Reincarnation
Good/Evil Rating: GOOD, quite approachable
Popularity index: 4361
Cite this article
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Article last revised on May 16, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders
References: Coming soon.