LALITPUR, NOV 25 - Though it seems unusual, it is customary for the devotees to feed rats while visiting Hiranyabarna Mahabihar (the golden temple) in Lalitpur.
Rats, the mythical carrier of god Ganesh, are always fed by the devotees before entering into the temple to pay homage to lord Shakyamuni Buddha.
There are 10 places made in the temple, where rice and other food are placed for the rats that have been kept for years.
Many rats with twinkling eyes and golden body are seen squeaking and running hither and thither in the Mahabihar.
It is believed that Bafacha (the priest) or other temple attendants fall sick if forgotten to feed the rats.
The rats in the temple never die inside, it is said.
The Mahabihar was constructed by Medieval King Bhashkar Dev in about 1045 A.D. and used to be called ‘Hembarna Bihar’, according to available sources.Keeping in view the historic and religious significance of the Mahabihar, postal stamps portraying the Bihar were issued in 2001 for the first time.Posted on: 2003-11-24 09:18

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