Tarapith Temple

Tarapith Temple
View of the Tarapith Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DeityMaa Tara
Festivals
Governing bodyTarapith Rampurhat Development Authority
Location
LocationTarapith
StateWest Bengal
Country India
Geographic coordinates24°06′48″N 87°47′49″E / 24.1133183°N 87.7969825°E / 24.1133183; 87.7969825
Architecture
TypeChala Style of Bengal architecture
Website
tarapith.in

Tarapith Temple is a 13th century Hindu temple in Tarapith, Birbhum, West Bengal in India, dedicated to the Hindu goddess Tara,the second mahavidya among the Mahavidyas in Hinduism. It is one of the 51 Sati Pithas in India.

As per the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Kalika Purana, Markandeya Purana and Shakti Peetha Stotram, the third eye of Goddess Sati fell here, after Lord Vishnu's Sudarshan Chakra splintered her body into many parts to calm down Mahadev's rage, during his cosmic dance. Vashishta Muni, who first saw it, started worshipping there and the place was later developed into a temple. In addition to the temple, Tarapith is closely associated with the mystic saint Bamakhepa, who is said to have had deep spiritual experiences in this area. The cremation ground accompanying the temple is one of the most revered and popular sites for tantric practices in Shaktism.