Tara Tarini Mandir is a Hindu temple of Adi Shakti at the Kumari hills on the bank of Rushikulya river[1] near Purushottampur in Ganjam district of Odisha, around 28km from Brahmapur city.

Tara Tarini Mandir
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictGanjam
DeityTara & Tarini
FestivalsChaitra Mela/Chaitra Parva/Chaitra Yatra, Holi, Dusshera, Navaratri, Dipawali, and Sankranti
Location
LocationKumari Hills, Purushottampur
StateOdisha
CountryIndia
Tara Tarini Mandir is located in Odisha
Tara Tarini Mandir
Location Purushottampur near Brahmapur city, District: Ganjam, Odisha, India
Tara Tarini Mandir is located in India
Tara Tarini Mandir
Tara Tarini Mandir (India)
Geographic coordinates19°29′22.83″N 84°53′59.23″E / 19.4896750°N 84.8997861°E / 19.4896750; 84.8997861
Architecture
TypeKalinga Architecture
CreatorKalinga Emperors in Ancient Period, Basupraharaj in Medieval period in 17th century and Tara Tarini Development Board at present
Temple(s)Five
InscriptionsTwo- At the Foot Hill of the Shrine (Shiv Temple)
Website
http://taratarini.nic.in/

Description of temple

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The main idols inside the garbagriha are two stone female faces adorned with gold and sliver ornaments. Two brass heads representing their Chalanti Pratima are in between. There is also a small murti of the Buddha in the garbhagriha.[2]

Legends

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Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi

It is believed that the Shakti Pithas are the locations where the body parts of Maa Sati fell, after being cut by Sudarshan chakra of Lord Vishnu during the events of the Daksha yajna.[3] It is said that Tara Tarini Mandir is located where Maa Sati's breasts fell.[4]

The temple is one of the four Adi Shakti Pithas: the others being the Kamakhya Temple where the genitals fell, the Vimala Temple where the feet fell, and the Kalighat Kali Temple where the toes of the right foot fell.[2]

Festivals

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Chaitra Jatra

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Chaitra Jatra, also known as Tara Tarini Jatra takes place on the Tuesdays (or Maṅgaḷabāra) of the Hindu month of Chaitra. Devotees believe that getting their children tonsured is auspicious during this period.[5] Hundreds of barbers are kept near the temple to aid the devotees.[6] During this festivity, special Khechidi Bhoga is served to the deities which later sold to devotees for ₹7 per serving from Monday midnight till 6 PM Tuesday.[7]

 
Tara Tarini Mandir during Chaitra Jatra

Sankranti Mela

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The Sankranti Mela is held on each Sankranti, i.e every 1st day of the each Hindu month. This day is considered to be very auspicious for Tantra Sadhakas. The temple stays open from 5:30 AM to 10 PM for the darshan of the deities. Offerings are not allowed inside the garbhagriha during the festival, they are offered to the Bije Pratima which is kept on the special Bije Pithastal during the festival, located near the temple's gate. Special khechudi bhoga prepared and sold to devotees for ₹7 per packet by the temple trust.[6]

Special pujas are done in the mandir.[clarification needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Navy honours Tara-Tarini hill shrine by naming sailboat". The Hindu. 20 February 2017. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Motherlodes of Power: The story of India's 'Shakti Peethas'". The New Indian Express. 3 October 2021. Archived from the original on 3 April 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  3. ^ "यहां गिरा था सती की जांघ का एक हिस्सा, 51 शक्तिपीठों में एक है यह मंदिर, जानें शक्तिपीठ बनने की कथा". ABP Live. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  4. ^ "TARA-TARINI  : The Ancient Shakti Pitha of Orissa". taratarini.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Chaitra Mela Of Goddess Taratarini In Ganjam District Of Odisha". kalinga.tv. 13 April 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Festival". taratarini.nic.in. Archived from the original on 22 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  7. ^ "Tara Tarini Mela". newodisha.in. 2012. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.[dead link]

13. Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik seeks Tara Tarini blessings, dedicates revamped shrine, 19th May 2022, New Indian Express

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