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In pictures: A visit to Tarapith temple via Santiniketan

The temple town of Tarapith, one of the most famous abodes of goddess Kali in Bengal, is visited by millions of pilgrims every year

Karo Christine Kumar Published 11.01.24, 06:50 PM
If you’re travelling to Tarapith over the weekend, start early and consider making a pit stop at the Sonajhuri Haat in Santiniketan (a three-hour drive from Kolkata) to explore the handicrafts of local artisans. You can also join the ladies for a tribal dance or tune into some soulful Baul music
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If you’re travelling to Tarapith over the weekend, start early and consider making a pit stop at the Sonajhuri Haat in Santiniketan (a three-hour drive from Kolkata) to explore the handicrafts of local artisans. You can also join the ladies for a tribal dance or tune into some soulful Baul music

Photos: Karo Christine Kumar
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Grab a lunch thali at Ram Shyam restaurant, next door to the Sonajhuri Haat, for a taste of local Bengali food
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Grab a lunch thali at Ram Shyam restaurant, next door to the Sonajhuri Haat, for a taste of local Bengali food

Then head onwards to Tarapith from Bolpur, a two-hour drive that is scenic in parts, especially in the winter months, when the mustard fields are in full bloom. Much of the road, however, is bumpy and busy. An alternate mode of transport is the Maa Tara Express train, which leaves from Sealdah station every morning and evening to Rampurhat
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Then head onwards to Tarapith from Bolpur, a two-hour drive that is scenic in parts, especially in the winter months, when the mustard fields are in full bloom. Much of the road, however, is bumpy and busy. An alternate mode of transport is the Maa Tara Express train, which leaves from Sealdah station every morning and evening to Rampurhat

The route leading to Tarapith temple is lined with shops that cater to devotees seeking offerings and souvenirs, as well as sweet shops selling the famed local delicacy – langcha
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The route leading to Tarapith temple is lined with shops that cater to devotees seeking offerings and souvenirs, as well as sweet shops selling the famed local delicacy – langcha

The first glimpse of Tarapith temple. It is believed that Sati’s third eye fell in Tarapith. The village was originally called Chandipur, but was later changed to Tarapith because the eyeball is called ‘tara’ in Bengali
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The first glimpse of Tarapith temple. It is believed that Sati’s third eye fell in Tarapith. The village was originally called Chandipur, but was later changed to Tarapith because the eyeball is called ‘tara’ in Bengali

Amidst the resonating chants of ‘Joy Maa Tara’, devotees line up outside the temple, the queue often extending all the way to the ghats of the river Dwarka
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Amidst the resonating chants of ‘Joy Maa Tara’, devotees line up outside the temple, the queue often extending all the way to the ghats of the river Dwarka

A unique aspect of Tarapith is that both fish and meat are allowed to be served as a ritualistic offering to please the goddess Maa Tara. Notably, alcohol is also offered, making Tarapith one of the towns with record liquor sales, especially during the auspicious occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya
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A unique aspect of Tarapith is that both fish and meat are allowed to be served as a ritualistic offering to please the goddess Maa Tara. Notably, alcohol is also offered, making Tarapith one of the towns with record liquor sales, especially during the auspicious occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya

Families wait their turn for darshan
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Families wait their turn for darshan

The town is also known for the tantric saint Bamakhepa, an ardent devotee of Goddess Tara. people also queue up to visit his ashram near the cremation grounds
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The town is also known for the tantric saint Bamakhepa, an ardent devotee of Goddess Tara. people also queue up to visit his ashram near the cremation grounds

A walk along the ghats will give you a glimpse of tantrics or aghoris, a window into the deeply rooted black magic culture of Bengal
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A walk along the ghats will give you a glimpse of tantrics or aghoris, a window into the deeply rooted black magic culture of Bengal

There is another temple devotees visit en route to Tarapith, which is the Shri Kankalitala Shaktipeeth Temple in Bolpur. It is believed that a portion of the hip of Goddess Sati (wife of Lord Shiva) fell here, making it a Shakti Peeth. There are 51 Shakti Peeth temples in India, of which 13 are in Bengal
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There is another temple devotees visit en route to Tarapith, which is the Shri Kankalitala Shaktipeeth Temple in Bolpur. It is believed that a portion of the hip of Goddess Sati (wife of Lord Shiva) fell here, making it a Shakti Peeth. There are 51 Shakti Peeth temples in India, of which 13 are in Bengal

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Temple Towns Tarapith Santiniketan Kali Temple Devotees Day Trip
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