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| | image_skyline = Maa Tara Temple.jpg | | | image_skyline = Maa Tara Temple.jpg |
| | image_alt = | | | image_alt = |
| | image_caption = Spire of the temple | | | image_caption = Spire of Tarapith temple |
| | nickname = | | | nickname = |
| | pushpin_map = India West Bengal | | | pushpin_map = India West Bengal |
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| | blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city | | | blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city |
| | blank1_info_sec1 = [[Rampurhat]] | | | blank1_info_sec1 = [[Rampurhat]] |
| | website = {{url|http://tarapith.in/}} | | | website = |
| | footnotes = | | | footnotes = |
| | demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[English language|English]] | | | demographics1_info1 = [[Bengali language|Bengali]] |
| }} | | }} |
| {{Hinduism}}
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| '''Tarapith''' is a 13-century<ref>{{cite web | url=https://wbtourism.gov.in/destination/place/tarapith | title=TARAPITH - West Bengal Tourism, Experience Bengal, Dept. Of Tourism, Govt. Of W. B. }}</ref> [[Hindu temple]] in Chandipur village [[Rampurhat II]] [[Community development block in India|CD block]] in [[Rampurhat subdivision]] of [[Birbhum district]] of the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]], known for its [[Tantra|Tantric]] temple and its adjoining [[cremation]] (Maha Shmashan) grounds where [[sādhanā]] (tantric rituals) are performed. The Tantric [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu temple|temple]] is dedicated to the goddess [[Tara (Devi)|Tara]], a fearsome Tantric aspect of the [[Devi]], the chief temples of [[Shaktism]]. Tarapith derives its name from its association as the most important centre of Tara worship.<ref name=Bir>{{Cite web|url=http://birbhum.gov.in/tarapith.htm|title=Tarapith|access-date=2010-06-24|publisher=Birbhum District: Government of West Bengal}}</ref><ref name=peeth>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wb.nic.in/westbg/bakreswar.html|title=Bakreshwar, Tarapith|access-date=2010-06-24|publisher=National Informatics Centre: Government of India|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216052341/http://www.wb.nic.in/westbg/bakreswar.html|archive-date=2010-02-16}}</ref><ref name=Kali>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kalighat.net/tarapithonline.htm|title=Personalised Puja at the Holy Tarapith Temple|access-date=2010-06-26|publisher= Kalighat.net}}</ref><ref>Kinsley p. 61</ref>
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| Tarapith is also famous for [[Bamakhepa|Sadhak Bamakhepa]], known as the [[avadhuta]] or "mad saint", who worshipped in the temple and resided in the [[cremation ground]]s as a mendicant and practised and perfected [[yoga]] and the tantric arts under the tutelage of another famous saint, Kailashpathi Baba. Bamakhepa dedicated his entire life to the worship of [[Tara (Devi)|Tara]] Maa. His [[ashram]] is also located in bank of Dwaraka river and close to the Tara temple.<ref name= Harding>{{Cite book|last= Harding|first= Elizabeth U.|title= Kali: the black goddess of Dakshineswar|pages=275–279|access-date=2010-06-26| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4woiJbQTsBQC&q=The+tantric+Tarapith&pg=PA274|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|year=1998|isbn=81-208-1450-9}}</ref> | | '''Tarapith''' is a town and [[Hindu pilgrimage sites in India|Hindu pilgrimage site]] located in [[Rampurhat subdivision]] of [[Birbhum district]] of the [[India]]n state of [[West Bengal]]. The town is particularly known for the [[Tarapith Temple]] and its adjoining Hindu [[crematory]] ground.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kali Puja: Devotees visit Tarapith in WB to offer prayers |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kali-puja-devotees-visit-tarapith-in-wb-to-offer-prayers20221024155637/ |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=[[Asian News International|ANI]] |date=24 October 2022}}</ref> The [[Tantra|tantric]] [[Hinduism|Hindu]] [[Hindu temple|temple]] is dedicated to the goddess [[Tara (Devi)|Tara]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dutta |first1=Debalina |title=নতুন বছরে সমৃদ্ধির প্রার্থণায় ভক্তরা, তারাপীঠে মায়ের সামনে প্রবল ভিড় |url=https://bengali.news18.com/photogallery/south-bengal/huge-devotees-gathered-in-tarapith-temple-on-the-last-day-of-the-year-for-blessings-in-new-year-2024-dd-l18-1436419.html |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=[[News18]] |date=31 December 2023 |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Last Destination: Manikarnika And Tarapith |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/spiritual/the-last-destination-manikarnika-and-tarapith-article-107358366 |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=[[Times Now]] |date=2 February 2024}}</ref> Every day, thousands of pilgrims visit the renowned [[Tarapith Temple]]. Devotees arrive not only from various parts of [[West Bengal]], but also from neighboring states and different regions across [[India]], to seek blessings at this sacred shrine. |
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| | Tarapith is also famous for Tantric saint [[Bamakhepa]], who worshipped in the temple and resided in the [[cremation ground]]s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=ব্যানার্জী |first1=প্রীতম |title=Bamakhepa Tarapith : তারা মা-কে নিবেদনের আগেই ভোগ খেয়ে ফেলেছিলেন বামাক্ষ্যাপা, তারপর? |url=https://bangla.aajtak.in/dharm-religion/story/bamakhepa-and-tarapith-temple-unknown-story-kali-puja-2022-prb-460725-2022-10-19 |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=[[Aaj Tak]] |date=19 October 2022 |language=bn}}</ref> His [[ashram]] is also located in bank of Dwaraka river and close to the Tara temple.<ref name= Harding>{{Cite book|last= Harding|first= Elizabeth U.|title= Kali: the black goddess of Dakshineswar|pages=275–279|access-date=2010-06-26| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4woiJbQTsBQC&q=The+tantric+Tarapith&pg=PA274|publisher= Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|year=1998|isbn=81-208-1450-9}}</ref> |
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| ==Geography== | | ==Geography== |
| Tarapith is a village of Sahapur Gram Panchayet, Tarapith Police Station located on the banks of the [[Dwarka River]] in West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=24.106239&lon=87.804779&zoom=15&q1=Tarapith%252C%2520Birbhum%252C%2520West%2520Bengal|title = Yahoo maps location of Tarapith|publisher = Yahoo maps|access-date = 2008-12-07}}</ref> It is located in the flood plains amidst green paddy fields. It looks like a typical Bengali village with thatched roof huts and fish tanks.<ref name="Dalrymple, p. 210-211">Dalrymple, pp. 210-211</ref> The town is located 6 km from Rampurhat Sub-Division in the Birbhum district. "Rampurhat" and 'Tarapith Road' are the nearest Railway stations. | | Tarapith is a village of Sahapur Gram Panchayat, located on the banks of the [[Dwarka River]] in West Bengal.<ref>{{cite web|url =http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=24.106239&lon=87.804779&zoom=15&q1=Tarapith%252C%2520Birbhum%252C%2520West%2520Bengal|title = Yahoo maps location of Tarapith|publisher = Yahoo maps|access-date = 2008-12-07}}</ref> Situated in the Tarapith Police Station circle, it is surrounded by the green paddy fields on the flood plains. It looks like a typical Bengali village with thatched roof huts and fish tanks.<ref name="Dalrymple, p. 210-211">Dalrymple, pp. 210-211</ref> The town is located 6 km from Rampurhat Sub-Division in the Birbhum district. "[[Rampurhat Junction railway station|Rampurhat]]" and "Tarapith Road" are the nearest Railway stations.<ref>{{cite news |title=তারাপীঠ কেন 'মহাপীঠ' জানেন? |url=https://eisamay.com/astrology/dharma-karma/pilgrimage/know-about-tarapeeth-the-mysterious-pilgrimage-of-bengal/68646045.cms |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=[[Ei Samay]] |date=30 March 2019 |language=bn}}</ref> |
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| ==Legend and importance==
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| [[File:Gateway_of_Tarapith.jpg|thumb|Gateway of Tarapith]]
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| [[File:तारापीठ.jpg|thumbnail|left|upright|The Temple of Tarapith]]
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| There are several legends narrated on the origin and importance of this place, all related to the goddess Tara deified in the Tarapith temple. A well-known legend relates to the ''Shakti Pith''s. [[Sati (goddess)|Sati]], the consort of [[Shiva]], felt insulted when her father [[Daksha]] deliberately did not invite Shiva to the great [[yajna|yajña]] "the fire sacrifice" he organized. Despite Shiva's refusal citing that they're not invited, when Sati however arrived to the scene, Daksha insulted Shiva by saying cuss words for him in front of all the attendants. Unable to bear this humiliation, Sati gave up her life by jumping into the yajña fire. Infuriated by this tragic turn of events, Shiva went wild. Then, [[Vishnu]], in order to pacify Shiva, decimated the body of Sati with his [[chakram]]. Sati's body part fell all over the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The places where the body parts fell have become centres of worship of the Goddess in different manifestations. There are 51 such holy temples which are called ''Shakti Pith''s; in West Bengal, there are many such ''pith''s, such as the [[Kalighat]].<ref name=peeth/><ref name=Kali/><ref>Kinsley p. 109</ref>
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| [[Vashistha]] had seen this form and worshipped the goddess Sati in the form of Tara. Another legend describes the following: Shiva had drunk the poison that had emerged by the [[Samudra manthan|churning of the cosmic oceans]], to save the universe. To relieve the intense burning in his throat, Sati – in the form of Tara – breast fed Shiva to relieve him of the effect of poison in his throat. Another local narration is that Vasishtha chose this place for the worship of Sati as it was already known as a Tarapith.<ref name=Bir/><ref name="Kinsely, p. 106">Kinsely, p. 106</ref> Among ''pith''s, Tarapith is a ''siddha pith'', which grants enlightenment, wisdom, happiness and ''[[siddhi]]''s ("supernatural powers").<ref name="Bowen">{{cite book|editor=Bowen, Paul|title=Themes and issues in Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_bjmiUSDRkAC&q=tarapith&pg=PA237|series=World Religions: Themes and issues|year=1998|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|pages=237, 239|isbn=9780304338511}}</ref>
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| Another oral legend about the temple states that the sage Vashishtha practised austerities toward Tara, but was unsuccessful, so on the advice of a divine voice, he went to meet [[Gautama Buddha in Hinduism|the Buddha]] – an [[avatar]] of Vishnu according to some schools of [[Hinduism]] – in [[Tibet]]. The Buddha instructed Vasishtha to worship Tara through the practices of [[vamachara]]. During this time, Buddha had a vision of Tarapith as an ideal location for a temple that would serve to enshrine the image of Tara. Buddha advised Vasishtha to go to Tarapith, the abode of Tara. At Tarapith, Vasishtha performed penance by reciting Tara [[mantra]] 300,000 times. Tara was pleased with Vasishtha's penance and appeared before him. Vasishtha appealed to Tara to appear before him in the form of a mother suckling Shiva on her breast, the form that Buddha had seen in his divine vision. Tara then incarnated herself in that form before Vasishtha and turned into a stone image. Since then Tara is worshipped in the Tarapith temple in the form of a mother suckling Shiva on her breast.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 106">Kinsely, p. 106</ref><ref>Kinsley pp. 97-8</ref>
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| Tarapith, Kalighat and [[Nabadwip]] are considered the most important [[Theertham|tirtha]]s (holy places with a [[sacred water body]]) for [[Bengali Hindus]].<ref name="Bowen"/>
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| ==The shrine as a Sidhha Pith - Tarapith==
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| {{main|Daksha Yaga|Shakti Peethas}}
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| [[File:Dakshayani.jpg|thumb|Shiva carrying the corpse of Sati Devi]]
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| The shrine gets its name being a Sidhha Pith. Sidhha Pith holy temples of Tara Maa. They are believed to have originated due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord [[Shiva]] carried it and wandered in sorrow. There are 51 Shakti Peeth all over South Asia is linked to the 51 letters in Sanskrit. The Shakti Peethas are associated with ''the mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation''. These shrines are important place of worship for Tantra practitioners.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kottiyoor Devaswam Temple Administration Portal|url=http://kottiyoordevaswom.com/|work=kottiyoordevaswom.com/|publisher=Kottiyoor Devaswam|access-date=20 July 2013}}</ref>
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| ==Tarapith temple== | |
| [[File:MaaKaliatTarapith.JPG|thumb|Maa Mundamalini at Mundamalini Temple in Tarapith]] | |
| [[File:Tarapith Temple 04.jpg|thumb|Inside the temple complex]]{{Split section|Tara Temple, Tarapith|date=December 2022}}
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| The Tara temple in Tarapith is a medium-sized temple in the rural precincts of Bengal. Its fame as a pilgrimage centre with the deity of Tara enshrined in it.
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| The temple base is thick with thick walls, built of red brick. The superstructure has covered passages with many arches raising to the pinnacle with a spire (''[[shikara]]''). The image of the deity is enshrined under the eaves in the sanctum. There are two Tara images in the sanctum. The stone image of Tara depicted as a mother suckling Shiva – the "primordial image" (seen in the inset of the fierce form of the image of Tara) is camouflaged by a three feet metal image, that the devotee normally seen. It represents Tara in her fiery form with four arms, wearing a garland of skulls and a protruding tongue. Crowned with a silver crown and with flowing hair, the outer image wrapped in a ''[[sari]]'' and decked in marigold garlands with a silver umbrella over its head. The forehead of the metal image is adorned with red [[kumkum]] (vermilion). Priests take a speck of this kumkum and apply it on the foreheads of the devotees as a mark of Tara's blessings. The devotees offer coconuts, bananas and silk ''sari''s, and unusually bottles of [[whisky]].<ref name="Dalrymple, p. 211">Dalrymple, p. 211</ref><ref name="Kinsely, p. 110">Kinsely, p. 110</ref> The primordial image of Tara has been described as a "dramatic Hindu image of Tara's gentler aspect".<ref name="Kinsely, p. 106"/>
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| [[File:A busy day at the Tarapith Temple in Birbhum.jpg|thumb|150px|Devotees at the Tarapith temple in Birbhum]]
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| The priests of the temple offer ''[[puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' (worship) with great reverence, in order to reveal her motherly aspect to the devotees. Their worship blends the fierce North Indian depiction of the Sati myth of the goddess with the peaceful motherly visionary form of Tara, as seen by Buddha and his disciple Vasishtha of the Tantric tradition – the Buddhist [[Tara (Buddhism)|Tara form]].<ref name="Kinsely, p. 109">Kinsely, p. 109</ref> At Tarapith, though the softer motherly aspect of the fierce goddess is emphasized. The chanting of hymns or stotrams in her praise is also a part of the devotional appeal made to the goddess.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 109"/>
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| The devotees take a holy bath at the sacred tank(Jivita Kunda) adjacent to the temple before entering the temple premises to offer worship and even after the worship. The waters of the tank is said to have healing powers and even restore life to the dead.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 109"/>
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| Blood sacrifice of goats is the daily norm in the temple. Devotees who offer such goat sacrifices seek blessings from the deity. They bathe the goats in the holy tank near the temple before the sacrifice. They also purify themselves by taking bath in the holy tank before offering worship to the deity. The goat is then tethered to a stake, the designated post in a sand pit, and the neck of the goat butchered with a single stroke by a special sword. A small quantity of the blood of the goat is then collected in a vessel and offered to the deity in the temple. The devotees also smear their forehead with a bit of blood from the pit, as a mark of reverence to the deity.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 110">Kinsely, p. 110</ref>
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| ==Cremation ground==
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| [[File:Tarapith.JPG|thumb|Cremation ground at Tarapith]]
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| The cremation ground (maha smasan), amidst dark forest surroundings, is located on the river side at the end of town limits, away from the village life and practices of the Bengali social order. In Bengal, the cremation ground of Tarapith is also considered integral to the Shakti pith. It is believed that goddess Tara can be seen in shadows drinking blood of goats which are sacrificed every day at her altar, to satiate her anger and seek favours.<ref name="Dalrymple, p. 205">Dalrymple, p. 205</ref>
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| Tantric practitioners believe that Tara is attracted to bones and skeletons and the cremation ground is her preferred residence. Goddess Tara's iconographic depictions show her amidst cremation grounds. Tantric practitioners have, therefore, been flocking these grounds for generations for performing their Tantric ''[[sadhana]]'' (spiritual practice); many Sadhus permanently reside here.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 111">Kinsely, p. 111</ref><ref name="Dalrymple, p. 206"/> The cremation grounds are flowed by the "dread locked ash-smeared [[sadhu]]s". Sadhus have built their hutments, amidst [[banyan tree]]s and embellished their huts with red-painted skulls embedded into the mud walls. In addition, calendar pictures of Hindu goddesses, saints of Tarapith and a [[trishul (weapon)|trishul]] (trident) decorated with marigold garlands and skulls at the entrance are a common sight in front of the huts. Human as well as animal skulls like those of jackals and vultures – which are unfit for Tantric rites – and snake skins decorate the huts. Good skulls used for tantric rituals and for drinking purpose by the Tantrics are cured before use; skulls of virgins and people who have committed suicide are said to be powerful.<ref name="Dalrymple, p. 206">Dalrymple, p. 206</ref>
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| ==Bamakhepa==
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| {{Main|Bamakhepa}}
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| [[File:Bama Khepa.jpg|right|150px|thumb|Bamakhepa, the tantric saint of Tarapith in the 19th century]]
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| A saint, held in great reverence in Tarapith and whose shrine is also located in the vicinity of the Tara temple, was [[Bamakhepa]] (1837–1911)<ref name="Kinsely, p. 111"/> popularly known as the "mad saint". Bama-khepa, literally means the mad ("khepa") follower of "left handed" ("Bama" or "Vama" in [[Sanskrit]]) path – the Tantric way of worship. Bamakhepa, goddess Tara's ardent devotee lived near the temple and meditated in the cremation grounds.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 111"/> He was a contemporary of another famous Bengali saint [[Ramakrishna]]. At a young age, he left his house and came under the tutelage of a saint named Kailsahpathi Baba, who lived in Tarapith. He perfected yoga and Tantric [[sadhana]] (worship), which resulted in his becoming the spiritual head of Tarapith. He also went to Devi Moulakhsi Temple at [[Maluti]] village for worship. People came to him seeking blessings or cures for their illness, in distress or just to meet him. He did not follow the set rules of the temple and, as a result, was once assaulted by temple priests for having taken food meant as an offering for the deity.Tara Ma appeared in the dream of [[Rani Bhabani|Maharani ("Queen")]] of [[Natore]]- [[Rani Annadasundari Devi]] and told her to feed the saint first as he was her son. After this incident, Bamakhepa was fed first in the temple before the deity and nobody obstructed him.<ref name="Harding"/> It is believed that Tara gave a vision to Bamakhepa in the cremation grounds, in her ferocious form, before taking him to her breast.<ref name="Kinsely, p. 111"/>
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| ==References== | | ==References== |
| {{reflist}} | | {{reflist|2}} |
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| ==Bibliography== | | ==Bibliography== |
| *{{Cite book|last= Dalrymple|first=William|title=Nine Lives|work=The Lady Twilight|pages=203–233|access-date=2010-06-19|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yA1YPgAACAAJ&q=Nine+Lives+William+Dalrymple|publisher= Bloomsbury Publishing Plc|year= 2009|isbn= 978-1-4088-0153-6}} | | *{{Cite book|last= Dalrymple|first=William|title=Nine Lives|pages=203–233|access-date=2010-06-19|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=yA1YPgAACAAJ&q=Nine+Lives+William+Dalrymple|publisher= Bloomsbury Publishing Plc|year= 2009|isbn= 978-1-4088-0153-6}} |
| *{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nETj-4OaYEC|last=Kinsley|first=David R.|title=Tantric visions of the divine feminine: the ten mahāvidyās|publisher=University of California Press|year=1997|isbn=978-0-520-20499-7}} | | *{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6nETj-4OaYEC|last=Kinsley|first=David R.|title=Tantric visions of the divine feminine: the ten mahāvidyās|publisher=University of California Press|year=1997|isbn=978-0-520-20499-7}} |
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| ==Further reading==
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| *Tarapith Vairab By Susil Kumar Bandopadhyay
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| *Tirthabhumi Tarapith By Probodh Kumar Bandopadhyay
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| *Mahapith Tarapith by Bipul Kumar Gangopadhyay
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| ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| | * [https://www.wbtourism.gov.in/topDestination/details1?template_id=1&id=63d8d4236327ed072c056a2c Tarapith] ''[[WBTDCL]]'' |
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| * [http://tarapith.com/ Tarapith website]
| | {{Portal bar|Hinduism|India}} |
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| {{Birbhum District}} | | {{Birbhum District}} |
| {{Temple towns in West Bengal}} | | {{Temple towns in West Bengal}} |
| {{Shaktism}}
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| [[Category:13th-century Hindu temples]]
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| [[Category:Cities and towns in Birbhum district]] | | [[Category:Cities and towns in Birbhum district]] |
| | [[Category:Birbhum district]] |
| [[Category:Hindu temples in West Bengal]] | | [[Category:Hindu temples in West Bengal]] |
| [[Category:Shakti Peethas]]
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| [[Category:Shakti temples]]
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| [[Category:Pilgrimage in India]] | | [[Category:Pilgrimage in India]] |
| [[Category:Hindu temples in Birbhum district]] | | [[Category:Hindu temples in Birbhum district]] |
India
