Tara Pith: Famous for Gaining Siddhis and Fulfilling Wishes

Tara Pith is one of the 51 sacred Shakti Peeths located across India. Situated in Birbhum district of West Bengal, this Tara Pith is famous for the worship of Goddess Tara. It is also considered a significant place for Tantrics to attain Siddhis. According to mythology, the eye of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva’s first wife, fell at this location, which led to the formation of the Tara Pith temple. According to ancient tales, when Sati jumped into the yajna fire after being insulted by her father, Lord Shiva wandered with her body, performing the Rudra Tandava. The destruction of the universe was imminent due to his wrath. To calm Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu cut Sati’s body into several pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra, which fell at different places on Earth. At Tara Pith, the eye of Goddess Sati fell.

Wamakhyepa’s Sadhana at Tara Pith

Tara Pith is also famous for being the site where Wamakhyepa performed intense spiritual practices. This place is believed to be the seat of Sage Vashistha, the guru of Lord Ram. It is said that Sage Vashistha attained Siddhis here by worshipping Goddess Tara. He also constructed a temple here, but it later sank underground. The present temple was constructed by a merchant named Jayvrat.

Tara Pith temple is known for its miraculous tales related to Goddess Tara. In the Mahashamshan, there is also the Tara Devi’s Padhapad temple, which is considered suitable for Tantric practices. Many saints, including Wamakhyepa, have their samadhis here. There is also the “Mundamalani” here. It is believed that Goddess Kali keeps her neck garland (mundamala) here before going to bathe in the Dwarka River. This is also a cremation ground.

Several forms of Adishakti are depicted in the temple, and Goddess Tara’s three eyes are shown, which are also called Tara. Lord Shiva’s idol is also present in the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, the Goddess Tara resides, and there is a three-foot metal statue of her. In one form, Goddess Tara is shown breastfeeding Lord Shiva’s child, as she had soothed his burning throat by breastfeeding him after he consumed poison during the churning of the ocean. Therefore, Goddess Tara is also referred to as the honorific “Tara” of Lord Shiva.

Tara Pith’s Importance Like Kamakhya

In this temple, alcohol is also offered as prasad and is consumed by Tantrics. Sacrifices (Bali) are also made here. For followers of Tantric power, Tara Pith holds the same significance as Kamakhya. The smoke from the burning bodies in the cremation ground reaches the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, which increases its importance. It becomes easier for Tantrics to attain Siddhi after visiting Tara Pith. People offer pind-daan at the nearby Pret-Shila to calm the souls of their ancestors. According to mythology, Lord Ram also performed the pind-daan of his father here.

Goddess Tara as the Second Mahavidya

During the Gupt Navratri, the Mahavidya Goddess Tara is worshipped. She is considered the second form of Goddess Kali. Tara Devi wears a necklace of human skulls and is regarded as the deity of Tantra. It is also believed that she is the liberator who grants moksha. Even in Buddhism, the worship of Goddess Tara is highly significant. It is believed that Lord Buddha also worshipped her, and Sage Vashistha also worshipped Goddess Tara to attain spiritual fulfillment. Worshipping her alleviates all suffering. Goddess Tara has three forms: Ugra Tara, Ekajata, and Neel Saraswati.

Story of Goddess Tara’s Origin

There is another popular mythological story related to the origin of Goddess Tara. It is said that Goddess Tara was born on the western side of Meru Mountain, near the Cholna River. To destroy a demon named Hayagriva, Goddess Mahakali assumed a blue form. According to the Mahakal Samhita, Goddess Tara appeared on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, which is why this date is called Tara-Ashtami, and the night of Chaitra Shukla Navami is referred to as Tara-Ratri.

It is believed that Lord Shiva told Goddess Parvati that she destroyed the demon Ravana, who had a dreadful face. Since then, this form of hers has been known as Tara. All the gods praised her at that time. Holding a sword, a skull necklace, a weapon, and an abhaya mudra in her hands, Goddess Tara took a fierce and terrifying form. Seeing her fierce form, all the gods trembled with fear. To calm her wrath, Brahma approached her. According to the Tara Rahasya Tantra, Lord Ram was only a medium. In reality, it was Goddess Tara’s destructive power that led to the killing of Ravana, the king of Lanka.