Mother Karni is the reincarnation of the Godess Durga. She is said to have performed many miracles as a child and throughout her life.
One story tells of a woman who asked Mother Karni to save her son who drowned. Mother Karni argued with Death and won his soul, but she could not directly bring him back to his human form. She saw a rat on the ground and placed the soul into the rat.
Once he lived his life as a rat, he would return as a human. The rats in the temple are the souls of departed relatives waiting to return to their human form.
In the temple devotees feed them, chant for them, and pray to Mother Karni. I was allowed inside the temple but there is a small area where I was not allowed. I could stand from the side and take photos but I could not enter. I asked my guide why and he said that since I have eaten beef (the protected holy cow) in my life, I would not be able to enter.
I sat for a while watching the rats scurry past, one runs up my leg and explores the workings of my camera. It crawls up my arm, investigates my hair, jumps down to investigate my camera again then moves on.
I listen to the chanting of the couple next to me. A little girl comes over to me and asks if I can take her photo.
I don’t see the white rat that symbolizes good luck. I guess don’t need it, I’ve got all the luck in the world.
Roberta Dell'Anno E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga for Scoliosis Trainer
Owner EssentialYoga Studio.
Roberta has been practicing yoga since 1988 and teaching yoga since 2004. She has studied extensively under master yoga teachers Patricia Walden, Zoë Stewart, Sri Arun H.S., Elise Browning Miller, and others. She completed a two year Iyengar Yoga Teacher Training program with Sr. Iyengar Teacher, Peentz Dubble in June 2017.
Roberta has studied yoga at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Memorial Institute in Pune, India during June 2011, February 2014, attended Abhijata's 2-week intensive in Pune, India, December 2016 and BKS Iyengar's Centenary 10-day intensive taught by Prashantji & Geetaji, December 2018.
She completed training and certification with Elise Browning Miller as a 'Yoga for Scoliosis' instructor in 2014, completed a 500 hour Hatha Yoga Certification program with AURA Wellness Center in 2005 and is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT 500. She has been a Certified Meditation Teacher since June 2007 and an Usui Reiki Practitioner since 1989.
The studio provides individual & specialized privates, semi-privates, group private sessions, and yoga workshops. Roberta conducts local and out of town workshops. She specializes in yoga for scoliosis and back care. She uses props to help students and teachers of all levels transform their backbends, twists, standing and seated postures, as well as inversions like sarvangasana (shoulderstand).
She also works with individuals who have physical challenges, specifically individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, CMT, Parkinson's Disease, scoliosis, and amputees in private, semi-private and group sessions.
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