Complete Guide to Tarapith Temple: History, Darshan, Bhog, and Sacred Legends

Tarapith, one of the most mysterious and revered Shakti Peethas of India, is located in Birbhum district of West Bengal. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara, a fierce and compassionate form of Maa Kali. Known for its tantric importance, miraculous legends, and centuries-old spiritual heritage, Tarapith draws lakhs of devotees, sadhaks, and spiritual seekers each year.

Legend of Tarapith

According to the Puranic tradition, when Sati immolated herself at Daksha’s Yagna, Lord Shiva carried her burning body and wandered in grief. As Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra dismembered her corpse to calm Shiva’s rage, her eyes (tara) fell at the spot where Tarapith stands today.

As per the Brahmanda Purana:
“तारा तु तन्त्रसिद्धिदा श्मशाने रक्षसा सह।”
Meaning: “Goddess Tara grants siddhis (supernatural attainments) through Tantric practices and resides in the cremation ground along with Bhairava.”

Appearance and Idol of Tara Maa

The idol of Tara Maa is made of stone and adorned with silver eyes, tongue, and ornaments. The unique aspect of the idol is that it is seated on a corpse (symbolizing ultimate victory over death), holding a skull bowl (kapala), sword, and lotus in her hands. Her forehead is smeared with sindoor, and she is covered with a red saree, resembling a tribal mother goddess as well as a tantric deity.

Darshan Timings at Tarapith Temple

• Temple Opens: 4:00 AM
• Mangal Aarti: 4:30 AM
• Darshan Timing: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM
• Temple Reopens: 3:00 PM
• Sandhya Aarti: 6:30 PM
• Darshan Closes: 9:00 PM

Bhog and Offerings

Devotees can offer the following as bhog to Tara Maa:

• Khichuri-Begun Bhaja: Most common offering cooked in mustard oil.
• Payesh (Rice Pudding): Offered during special occasions and poornima.
• Red hibiscus garlands, sindoor, coconuts and black sarees are common symbolic offerings.

Auspicious Days and Timing for Darshan

• Every Poornima (Full Moon): Highly auspicious for Tara sadhana and darshan.
• Amavasya (New Moon): Ideal for Tantric rituals, especially at midnight.
• Navratri and Kali Puja: Celebrated with grand rituals.
• Early Morning (Brahma Muhurta): Best time for peaceful darshan.

Rules for Devotees Visiting Tarapith

• Always maintain silence inside the temple premises.
• Photography is strictly prohibited inside the sanctum.
• Do not wear black clothes inside the temple (only offer them to Maa Tara).
• Respect the cremation ground and do not indulge in mockery or leisure.
• Women in their menstrual cycle are requested not to visit the temple.

Bhairava of Tarapith

Every Shakti Peeth is protected by a Bhairava. Here, the temple is guarded by Chandrachur Bhairava, who resides near the temple complex. Tantric practitioners seek his permission before starting any intense rituals.

Maha Smashan at Tarapith (Cremation Ground)

Located adjacent to the sacred Tarapith temple in West Bengal, the Maha Smashan is not just a cremation ground—it is a living embodiment of Tantra’s deepest mysteries. Unlike ordinary shamshan ghats, this site is revered as a spiritually charged siddha pith where Shakti in her fiercest and most compassionate form—Ma Tara—resides amid death and dissolution.

Saint Bamakhepa, the ‘mad saint’ of Bengal, practiced his intense sadhanas here and was blessed with direct darshan of Maa Tara.

In Tantric philosophy, the cremation ground symbolizes the ultimate renunciation of ego. It is the sacred space where illusions dissolve, and the practitioner confronts the raw truth of impermanence. Tantriks, sadhaks, and Aghoris do not come here to mourn the dead, but to meditate, invoke Ma Tara, and perform intense spiritual practices that awaken inner liberation.

According to local legends and spiritual history, Mahasiddha Bamakhepa—revered as the mad saint of Tarapith—performed most of his sadhana right in this cremation ground. He sat beside funeral pyres, chanting mantras to the Mother, unbothered by fear or decay. The Maha Smashan becomes particularly powerful during Kali Puja and Amavasya nights, when the boundary between physical and astral worlds is thinnest.

The ground is said to be so energized that even the air carries the vibrations of liberation. The very soil is considered sacred by Tantrics, often used in secret rituals to invoke Ma Tara’s formless grace. The Maha Smashan at Tarapith remains one of the most potent spots in all of Bharat for Tantric awakening and moksha sadhana.

The Sacred Pond (Kund) of Tarapith and Its Puranic Significance

Beside the sanctified Tarapith templekund, a waterbody that holds immense spiritual and tantric significance. This pond, known locally as ‘Maa Tara Kund’, is believed to be blessed by the divine energy of Adi Shakti. According to legend, it was here that the tantric saint Bamakhepa would meditate and perform austerities, often invoking Maa Tara’s blessings in the stillness of the waters. Devotees immerse themselves in this kund before darshan, as it is thought to wash away sins and awaken the kundalini shakti within.

The Markandeya Purana mentions the power of sacred waters in Shaktipeethas, stating:

“शक्तिपीठे जलं पुण्यं स्पृशन् मुक्तो भवेत् नरः।”
— Markandeya Purana

Translation: “The waters of a Shaktipeetha are so sacred that by merely touching them, a person can attain liberation.”

Tantric scriptures also refer to such sacred ponds as ‘Gupta Teertha’, hidden pilgrimage spots where divine feminine energy is most concentrated. The kund at Tarapith is especially potent during Amavasya (New Moon) when numerous sadhaks gather to perform Tantra Sadhana and Shava Sadhana under the guidance of experienced gurus. Many believe that Maa Tara herself appears in visions to those who meditate near the kund with devotion.

A mantra often chanted by devotees while offering water or bathing in the kund is:

“ॐ ह्रीं तारायै नमः”
Om Hreem Tarayai Namah

This bija mantra invokes the protective and liberating aspect of Maa Tara, and is believed to cleanse one’s aura and align their inner energies with the divine.

The kund, much like the temple and the adjoining maha shamshan, is not just a place of ritual—it is a mirror of transcendental reality, where the seeker dissolves the ego and emerges spiritually reborn. Its waters, quiet and deep, hold the memory of centuries of devotion, penance, and the whispers of Maa Tara’s eternal presence.

However, the bad news is that doe to the polluting activity by the visitors, the entry to the pond has been restricted and the gate opens only on specific times for the specific people. One may still see the pond.

The Bamakhepa Ashram Near Tarapith Temple

Nestled close to the sacred precincts of the Tarapith temple lies an ancient ashram that continues to be a spiritual haven for seekers, sadhaks, and devotees. This ashram is especially revered for being associated with the great tantric saint Sadhu Bamakhepa, lovingly known as the ‘mad saint of Tarapith’. It is said that Bamakhepa lived, meditated, and performed many of his divine sadhanas here under the guidance of Maa Tara herself. The ashram houses his samadhi (final resting place), which draws thousands of pilgrims each year who come to pay homage and seek blessings. The serene surroundings of the ashram offer a perfect environment for tapasya (austerity) and self-reflection, echoing with the soft chants of mantras and the quiet determination of spiritual aspirants. Regular bhajans, havans, and tantra discussions are held here, keeping alive the deep-rooted tantric traditions of Bengal. The presence of this sacred space enhances the mystic aura of Tarapith and invites every soul to move a step closer to the Divine Mother.

The Dwaraka River

Flowing gently by Tarapith, the Dwaraka River is not just a geographical feature but a sacred presence. Devotees take a dip in the river before entering the temple. As per locals, the water purifies the aura and prepares the body-mind for divine darshan. Apart from the Ganga in Kashi, this is the only situation, where you will find a river flowing from south to north. A river in the northern hemispheare usually flows from north to south.

Route to Tarapith

Address: Near, VIP Road, Tarapith, City, Rampurhat, West Bengal 731233

• By Train: Nearest station is Rampurhat, about 9 km from the temple. Regular autos are available. As of January 2025, the average price person is Rs. 50
• By Road: Well-connected via NH14. Buses from Kolkata, Durgapur, and Asansol run daily.
• By Air: Nearest airport is Kolkata (around 225 km). From there, take a cab or train.

Mantra of Tara Maa

One of the powerful mantras dedicated to Maa Tara is:

“ॐ ह्रीं स्त्रीं हौं फट्।”
“Om Hreem Streem Houm Phat”
Meaning: This beeja mantra invokes the fierce and protective form of Tara for divine grace, liberation from fear, and spiritual awakening.

Scriptural Reference and Importance

As described in the Rudrayamala Tantra:

“तारा प्रिया सदा भक्त्या, श्मशाने रमते सदा। मृत्युभीतिहरं देवीं, तारिणीं प्रणम्यहम्॥”

Translation: “I bow to Devi Tara who resides in the cremation ground, beloved of the devotees, and destroyer of the fear of death.”

Other Four Shakti Peethas in Birbhum District

Don't miss this if you are coming from a distant place. You may reserve an Auto Rickshaw and they will charge you Rs. three thousand as of January 2025 (Rates may vary during special seasons) and will let you visit all the other four in same day.

Apart from the spiritually radiant Tarapith, the Birbhum district is blessed with the divine presence of four other Shakti Peethas, each bearing a mystical aura and a sacred legend of Devi’s manifestation. These Peethas are deeply revered and attract thousands of devotees seeking spiritual upliftment.

• Attahas Shakti Peetha (Labhpur): Here, it is believed that Goddess Sati’s lower lip fell. The presiding deity is worshipped as Phullara Devi, and Bhairava as Vishvesh. The temple is known for its calmness, surrounded by nature, invoking deep peace in worshippers.
• Fullara Shakti Peetha (Labhpur): Sometimes associated with Attahas or considered distinct, Fullara is the place where Devi Sati’s lip is said to have fallen. A large pond near the temple is considered sacred, and locals believe Devi resides in the water. It is also closely linked with folk tales of Satya Narayan Katha.
• Nalhati Shakti Peetha: This ancient temple marks the spot where Goddess Sati’s throat (Nala) fell. The temple is known as Ma Nalateshwari Temple. Devotees often feel a unique spiritual vibration here, especially during Kali Puja.
• Kirit Shakti Peetha (Kiratkona): In this Peetha, the crown (Kirit) of Sati is believed to have fallen. The deity is revered as Vimala, and Bhairava is known as Samvarta. Though lesser known, it holds high significance among Tantrics and those performing silent sadhanas.

These sacred sites, nestled within the same district as Tarapith, form a powerful spiritual circuit, each echoing the divine energy of Shakti. Visiting them in conjunction offers a rare opportunity for seekers to experience the many forms of Devi—each temple a gateway to transformation.

Conclusion

Tarapith is not just a temple — it is a living symbol of divine power, transformation, and spiritual mystery. Whether you’re a devotee, a seeker, or someone curious about ancient practices, Tarapith offers a sacred gateway into the heart of Tantra and Shakti worship. With deep-rooted legends, tangible spiritual energy, and the promise of divine blessings, a visit to Tarapith is truly a journey of the soul.