Say Cheese!

If you're ever in Rajasthan, The Karnimata Temple is one place you absolutely have to visit. Found in Deshnok, Bikaner, it is a temple dedicated to the Karni Maa or Karni mata. The most interesting feature of this temple is that the entire area is filled with rats. While to most this might seem like a pixar movie gone wild, to the devotees, the temple is a great source of healing and protection. The rats, or KABA as they are called, are said to be descendants of a dead child whom the Karni Mata restored to life. The mystical aspect about this story of rebirth is that one never sees baby rats around the temple and no signs of a reproduction cycle. Another fascinating fact is that there are no recorded cases of disease or infection from these rats. In fact, the half-eaten offerings made to these rats are distributed to the devotees as 'Prasad'. Now this is one place you might not want to 'say cheese'!

Plane and Polite

• 'Suit' the mood. Always dress like you're going to meet somebody important. Slacks and oversized tees belong in your luggage and not on your self.

• Talking about luggage, if it's too big - Check it or Chuck it. Don't spend 10 minutes trying to stuff your suitcase into the overhead compartment. And if it says you can carry on one item, that doesn't mean two or three. There are other people on the plane who need some of this precious room.

• Don't recline your seat too far back unless there is an elf sitting behind you.

• Chew food with your mouth closed.

• It's called an armrest, not bodyrest. Share your armrest.

• When waiting at the gate, please refrain from using the chair next to you for your luggage. That should go on the floor.

• Phones have come a long way from the 'cup and string' models. You don't need to yell when you're on a call. Talk in a mediocre voice.