Karni Mata Temple, 30 miles south of Bikaner in Deshnoke was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the early 20th century in the late Mughal style. The temple has around 20,000 rats that are fed, protected and worshipped. Many holes can be seen in the courtyard of this temple. In the vicinity of these holes, one can see rats engaged in different activities. It is regarded auspicious, if a rat (kaba) runs across one’s feet. Even, a glimpse of kaba (white rat) is considered promising and fruitful. Karni Mata an incarnation of goddess Durga, implored, Yama, the god of death of restore to life, the son of a storyteller and upon his refusal she incarnated the dead son, and all of the storytellers as rats, under her protection.