https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Tarkulha_Devi_TempleTarkulha Devi Temple - Revision history2026-09-06T23:08:12ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tarkulha_Devi_Temple&diff=539738&oldid=prevTanyaBertrand6: adding new biography v1.2026-03-07T06:46:28Z<p>adding new biography v1.</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Hindu Temple in Uttar Pradesh, India}}<br />
{{Infobox Hindu temple<br />
| name = Tarkulha Devi Temple<br />
| image = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| map_type = India Uttar Pradesh<br />
| map_caption = Location in [[Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
| coordinates = {{coord|26.653297|83.538309|display=inline,title}} <br />
| country = India<br />
| state = [[Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
| district = [[Gorakhpur district|Gorakhpur]]<br />
| location = Tarkulha<br />
| deity = [[Durga]] (as Tarkulha Devi)<br />
| festivals = [[Navratri]], [[Rama Navami]]<br />
| architecture_style = [[Hindu temple architecture]]<br />
| year_completed = <br />
| creator = <br />
| governing_body = Temple Trust<br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
'''Tarkulha Devi Temple''' is a [[Hindu temple]] dedicated to the goddess Tarkulha Devi ([[Durga]]), located in [[Gorakhpur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]].<ref name=Hindustan>{{cite news |last1=Jadid |first1=Abdul |title=Animal sacrifice at this temple has a martyr connection |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lucknow/animal-sacrifice-at-this-temple-has-a-martyr-connection/story-zN850vVwQ8kX0pWym1u5QK.html |publisher=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=April 8, 2017}}</ref><br />
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== History ==<br />
Tarkulha Devi is believed to be one associated with the [[Goddess Durga]]. Her name is derived from the "tarkul" tree, meaning [[palm tree]].<ref name=Hindustan/><br />
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The temple is particularly significant due to its association with the [[Indian independence movement]]. Freedom fighter [[Bandhu Singh]] considered Tarkulha Devi as his [[Ishta Deva|Ishta Devi]] (chosen deity). He is said to have worshiped at the temple before carrying out [[Guerrilla warfare|guerilla warfare]] tactics against the British.<br />
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The temple's tradition of [[animal sacrifice]] is linked to the martyrdom of Bandhu Singh, who used to offer sacrifices to the goddess and even sacrificed the heads of British soldiers. His ultimate sacrifice at the hands of the British on August 12, 1857, led to the temple becoming a place of worship and reverence for devotees seeking blessings and protection.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vikramaditya |first1=Dhirendra |title=यहां बलि के बाद मीट को मिट्टी के बर्तन में बनाकर प्रसाद के रूप में ग्रहण किया जाता |url=https://www.patrika.com/gorakhpur-news/the-divine-story-of-tarkulha-devi-mandir-see-how-people-take-blessing-5187039 |publisher=[[Patrika.com]] |date=October 7, 2019 |language=Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Shrivastava |first1=Avinash |title=क्रांतिकारी बाबू बंधू सिंह यहां चढ़ाते थे अंग्रेजों की बलि, इनके कारनामे जानकर आप भी करेंगे गर्व |url=https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/gorakhpur/famous-tarkulha-devi-temple-story-with-freedom-fighter-babu-bandhu-singh-in-gorakhpur?pageId=2 |publisher=[[Amar Ujala]] |date=May 28, 2020 |language=Hindi}}</ref><br />
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In September 2019, the [[Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh|chief minister of Uttar Pradesh]], [[Yogi Adityanath]] sanctioned {{INR}}2.14 crore for the development of the Tarkulha Devi Temple as a tourist destination. The government released {{INR}} 88 lakh to the executing agency.<ref>{{cite news |title=तरकुलहा और लेहड़ा देवी मंदिर का होगा पयर्टन विकास |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur/story-tarkulaha-and-lehda-devi-temple-will-be-developed-for-tourism-2770824.html |publisher=[[Live Hindustan]] |date=September 29, 2019 |language=Hindi}}</ref><br />
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== Rituals and practices ==<br />
Devotees visiting the Tarkulha Devi Temple engage in various rituals, with [[animal sacrifice]] being a prominent practice. [[Goat]]s are sacrificed as offerings to the goddess, especially during [[Navaratri]], with the meat distributed as consecrated food ([[Prasada]]) among the faithful. Those who prefer not to participate in [[animal sacrifice]], offer coconuts to the deity. The temple also serves as a venue for religious ceremonies like [[Chudakarana|mundan]] (head shaving) and [[Upanayana|janeu]] (sacred thread) rituals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Pradeep |title=एक ऐसा मंदिर जहां अंग्रेजों का सिर काटकर चढ़ाते थे क्रांतिकारी, अब लगता है यहां मेला |url=https://www.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/gorakhpur-city-maa-tarkulha-devi-temple-gorakhpur-historical-significance-and-history-jagran-special-23098913.html |publisher=[[Dainik Jagran]] |date=September 30, 2019 |language=Hindi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=8 temples in India that are famous for their non-vegetarian Prasad |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/8-temples-in-india-that-are-famous-for-their-non-vegetarian-prasad/photostory/92806809.cms?picid=92806837 |work=[[The Times of India]] |date=July 13, 2022}}</ref><br />
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The temple celebrates [[Rama Navami|Chaitra Rama Navami]] with grand festivities, including a large fair. Devotees from nearby areas, including [[Bihar]] and [[Nepal]], visit to take part in the rituals and seek blessings from Goddess Tarkulha.<ref name=Hindustan/><br />
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== Location ==<br />
The temple is about 22 kilometres from [[Gorakhpur]]'s district headquarters. Visitors can reach the temple from the main road by walking around 1.5 kilometres or using a private vehicle or rickshaw. It is 5 kilometres from [[Chauri Chaura]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tourist Places: Tarkulha Devi |url=https://gorakhpur.nic.in/tourist-place/tarkulha-devi/ |publisher=Gorakhpur.nic.in}}</ref> <br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
[[Category:Hindu temples in Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Durga temples]]<br />
[[Category:Gorakhpur district]]<br />
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Uttar Pradesh]]<br />
[[Category:Hindu temples practicing animal sacrifice]]</div>TanyaBertrand6