Tarapith - तारापीठ

Tarapith Temple is the most prominent religious pilgrimage located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is also a Siddhapeeth, the idol of Maa Kali, is worshiped as Maa Tara in the temple. Here the middle star of the iris of Devi Sati fell apart from the Sudarshan Chakra. Hence its name is Tarapith. This place is also known as \"Nayan Tara\".

Religious Significance of Tarapith
It is believed that by worshiping Devi Tara, one gets freedom from every disease. Tarapith has the most importance among the famous 51 Shakti Peethas of Hinduism. Like the Kamakhya Temple in Assam, this Peeth is a place of worship for those who believe in Tantra Sadhana. Here also sages and saints do spiritual practice with utmost faith and reverence. After the darshan of Taraknath, devotees have to come to Tarapith, so that the journey can be completed.

The courtyard of Tarapith temple is situated near the cremation ground, it is known as 'Mahashamshan Ghat'. The fire of the pyre burning in this crematorium is never extinguished. People do not feel any kind of fear when they come here. The Dwarka river flows around the temple. In Tarapith temple, a seeker named 'Bamakhepa' had attained many siddhis by worshiping Devi Tara.

Mahima of Tarapith
In ancient times, Maharishi Vashistha attained siddhis by worshiping Devi Tara at this place. Presently Tarapith was built by a merchant named 'Jaivrat'. Once this merchant reached a village located near Tarapith in connection with business and spent the night there. In the night Devi Tara appeared in his dream and told him that- \"There is a cremation ground nearby. There is a rock in the middle of that ghat, uproot it and establish it duly. After this the merchant built a grand temple of Devi Tara, and in it Established the idol of the Devi. In this idol, Bhagwan Shiva is in the form of a child in the lap of Devi Tara, whom the mata is lactating.

Tantra Sadhna Sthal
Maa Tara is the presiding deity of ten knowledge. Tantra Sadhana is very important in Hinduism.Vindhya Kshetra is very famous for Tantra Sadhana since ancient times, where sadhaks attain Siddhi by doing sadhna of mata Tara. In this Peeth, Tantriks get accomplished soon, it is believed by the seekers. There is a phantom-shila near this temple, where people do Pind Daan for the peace of their ancestors' souls during Pitru Paksha. At this place, Maryada Purushottam Bhagwan Ram also offered his father's tarpan, Pind Daan.According to Devi Purana, mata Tara Devi Jagdamba keeps on protecting the devotees of the mata as a vigilant watchdog in the spiritual realm of Vindhyas as per the orders of Vindhyavasini.

How to reach Tarapith
Tarapith is very well connected to Kolkata by road and train. Devotees can easily reach here for darshan.