Char Shakti Dham

OTDC comes out with package tour to Tara Tarini hill shrine

2011-11-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) has come up with a package tour to promote the famous Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district. This tour would be taken up around five times in a month to enable devotees and tourists from other parts of the State to have a comfortable luxurious trip to this famous hill shrine. As Bhubaneswar would be starting pint of this tour it would enable tourists coming to visit golden triangle, Puri-Bhubaneswar-Konark, to opt for a visit to another chunk of Odisha.

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), Berhampur has decided to provide all possible assistance for this project of OTDC, said secretary of TTDB, Pramod Panda. According to him this package tour would be on Tuesdays along with the day of Sankranti. These are most preferred days for devotees to visit this hill shrine. Mr. Panda said this package tour for Tara Tarini was being provided at affordable price of around Rs 640 per passenger. Tourists would start from Bhubaneswar in air-conditioned luxury buses and reach Tara Tarini hill shrine just before noon.

The TTDB authorities would welcome the passengers and provide them all possible hospitality. These tourists would be provided ‘Prasad' of the temple as lunch which is part of the package. Along with accompanying guide the troupe of tourists would get a chance to move around scenic spots around the hill shrine during their stay there. Ropeway between the hill top and the foot hill was also part of the tour package, Mr. Panda said. According to him this project of OTDC would help in promotion of this hill shrine as a major tourist destination.

Mr. Panda said the second hill top road to the shrine was almost completed and it would be ready for use by public by the end of the year. This new road starts from Keshpur junction. Work was also under way for construction of a ring road around the Tara Tarini hill. The ghat road to the hill top is being widened further for easy driving. In some places gradient of steep slopes have been reduced.

To beautify adjoining areas embankment of Rushikulya River that flows around the Tara Tarini hill is being beautified. “We are planning to increase parking space on the hill top by cutting down and leveling some more portions on the hill top,” Mr. Panda added. During past few years the TTDB has made a complete face lift of this hill shrine that includes erection of a complete new temple in place of the old temple. This new temple is based on ancient Rekha style temple architecture of Odisha. Source: The Hindu

Tara Tarini and Kamakhya see rush of devotees during Navaratri

2011-10-04T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Tara Tarini Shakti shrine near Berhampur, Odisha is agog with activity with Navaratri celebrations. People are thronging the hill top temple near Berhampur in lakhs during this period.

Devotees light lamps before Maa Tara Tarini from the first night of the Navaratri and it continues to burn till the end of the celebrations. There is also constant chant of Chandi Patha and Tara Tarini development Board also organize cultural and bhajan programmes. "We have made necessary arrangements for visitors to the famous hill top temple for a glimpse of Maa during Navaratri," general secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board Pramod Kumar Panda said, adding that we expect the maximum number of devotees on Saptami, Ashtami and Dasami.

Kamakhya temple atop Nilachal Hills near Guwahati, Assam has also started witnessing rush of devotes from various parts of the state and abroad. With Maha shasthi falling on a Sunday, devotes thronged the temple premises on Saturday seeking blessing of goddess Durga, who is another incarnation of Sati like Kamakhya.

Secretary of Kamakhya Debuttor Board, Nabakanta Sarma is expecting at least two lakh visitors at the temple during this Puja. "Though it is believed that Durga Puja in Assam was started by Ahom Queen Phuleshwari in the 17th century AD, according to other sources it goes back before 1200 AD", said Sarma.

He expressed hope that number of visitors at Kamakhya temple increasing from September 28 with the starting of Navratri, the organizers are expecting large crowds even from Maha Sasthi.

Invoking the Universal Mother

2011-10-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

By M N CHATTERJEE

Adi Shankara exalted the Mother Goddess: "Immersed in dangers, O Durga, i turn my mind to you, O ocean of Mercy and spouse of Shiva; please don't consider this as anything less than heartfelt, since children remember their mother when they suffer from hunger and thirst."

During Navratri, the nine-day festival that celebrates the feminine principle, the 'Chandi' or Devi Mahatmyam of the Markandeya Purana is recited before daybreak. The word 'Durga' means a fort - something that is difficult to access. It is a pointer to the fact that her origin is traced to the determined efforts of all the harassed gods who had to share their power and weapons with her to make her powerful enough to successfully challenge the rampaging demons that were terrorising the earth, hea-vens and the nether world. The word also implies 'Durgatinashini' - that is, one who removes sufferings.

Her iconographic representation during Durga Puja follows her portrayal in Devi Mahatmyam as Mahi-shasuramardini, the destroyer of the buffalo-demon. Astride a lion, she is shown thrusting her trident into the chest of the buffalo-demon, half-emerged from the carcass of a slain buffalo. It is the climactic scene of the narrative when, after a series of fierce and protracted battles with the tricky demon changing his form and shape, the Devi ultimately traps him in the deadly combat and restores cosmic order to the great relief of the helpless gods. The supreme deity is flanked by goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati and gods Kartikeya and Ganesha, representing pros-perity, erudition, prowess and auspiciousness.

Her 10 hands carry weapons and articles that bear symbolic significance. The conch suggests sound and the mystic Aum. The sudarshan chakra or divine discus is an unfailing weapon which shows her to be invincible in her battle to uphold righteousness. The thunderbolt enables her to destroy the target without being hit back. Through the grimacing lion she conveys her firmness, strength and determination, the qualities she wants her devotees to imbibe.

She is hailed as 'Bhuktimuktipradayini' suggesting that she can grant freedom from material bondage to achieve ultimate liberation.

Since the Devi's advent is around harvest time she is closely associated with vegetation and nourishment. An epithet of Durga is Shakambhari or the herb-nourishing goddess. She is also worshipped as Annapurna or Annada the goddess of food and as Navapatrika, consisting of a plantain tree and eight other plants and herbs, representing all that is necessary for sustenance of life and well-being. Hence, Durga is also a harvest goddess and the goddess of fertility. In the spring she is invoked as Vasanti Devi. She is also venerated as Jagaddhatri, fosterer of the earth.

The annual enactment of the gory battles is of allegorical significance. The seemingly irrepressible demon representing the chaotic and dark underworld is face to face with the Supreme Deity representing light and all that is good in life. The anthropomorphic villain is a repository of some of the heinous traits found in us. But Mahisha had once done severe penance which impressed Brahma so much that he gave him a boon that no god could kill him. Hence the emergence of a mighty goddess to subjugate him.

The cyclical presentation of the protracted battles every year also shows that it is not easy to rid oneself of the pernicious instincts entrenched within. But hope burns bright in the belief that everyone has a divine spark that could light the fire of self-purification.

Source: The Times of India

Devotion surges as Ambubachi Mela ends at Kamakhya

2011-06-29T07:45:00.000-07:00

Thousands of devotees queued up in front of the main door of Kamakhya Temple which opened after the five-day Ambabuchi Mela came to an end. Since morning, lakhs of visitors from every corner of the globe were seen waiting for their turn to have a glimpse of goddess Kamakhya braving rains. The temple door was thrown open at 6.45 am. The door was closed from June 22 to June 26 in accordance with the rituals of Ambubachi Mela. The fair is the most important mela celebrated at Kamakhya Temple. It is believed that the presiding goddess of the temple, Devi Kamakhya, goes through her annual cycle of menstruation during this time. This year, some 13 lakh visitors from across the globe attended the fair. On Sunday, about 30, 000 people offered their prayers to the goddess. "We have even avoided the afternoon break of one hour so that the visitors can have a glimpse of the goddess without any delay. This will continue till June 28 as there is a huge rush of people during this period," said Riju Sarma, the administrator Kamakhya Temple Debutter Board. "I have come all the way from Tamil Nadu to have this wonderful experience. I always wanted to come here. This is amazing here to see such a huge crowd and I felt highly spiritual," said Usman Ali, a businessman from Chennai.

Irine, a researcher from Holland, reached the temple premises last week and witnessed the entire festival. "I learnt a lot after coming here. I am presently doing my research on Hinduism and this fair is one of the main attractions of my studies. I will come here again," she said. She asked the state government to take up initiatives to promote this festival at a global platform. "There should be wide publicity of Ambubachi Mela. This is one lovely place for tourists and everyone should know about it," she added. The Ambubachi Mela is also known as Ameti or tantric fertility festival since it is closely associated with the Shakti cult prevalent in the eastern parts of India. Even some tantrics make public appearances only during these five days. The rest of the year, they remain in seclusion. Some sadhus are also seen displaying their psychic powers like standing on one leg for hours at a stretch. "The prasad is distributed in two forms - angodak and angabastra. Angodak literally means the fluid part of the body - water from the spring. Angabastra means a piece of red cloth used to cover the stone yoni during the days of menstruation," said N K Sarma, the secretary of Ambubachi Mela.

Source: TOI

4 lakh devotees visit Kamakhya temple

2011-06-23T23:52:00.000-07:00

GUWAHATI, June 23 – Around four lakh devotees visited the Kamakhya temple on the first day of the Ambubachi mela, which started around last midnight to perform the “parikrama” round the Shakti seat.

According to publicity secretary of the Ambubachi Mahotshav Parichalana Samiti, Anup Prasad Sarma, the rush of the local people to the temple started at 8 pm yesterday and it has been continuing till this evening.

Meanwhile, devotees from various parts of the country and from abroad have arrived at the Nilachal hillock to take part in the celebration. They include hundreds of devotees from West Bengal and other parts of the country, three Australians, around 100 from Nepal, around 15 from Bhutan, four from Germany, two each from USA and France and one from Italy.

A Discovery Channel team, comprising two Indians and six from abroad, has also arrived at the Hillock to cover the festival.

The devotees from various parts of the country and abroad are performing the “parikrama” singing religious songs and are thus creating a festive atmosphere on the hillock.

Folk artiste teams comprising Bauls and Shyamasangeet artistes from West Bengal are also adding to the festive environment.

However, power failure in the camps, set up for sheltering the devotees near the Kamakhya Higher Secondary school and along the road leading to the Lalita Kanta temple, has created problems for the devotees as well as the local people. Moreover the road leading to the Lalita Kanta temple is also filled with filthy materials leading to the misery of the people.

The Guwahati Municipal Corporation has not taken much care to keep the road clean, alleged the local residents.

Source: Assam Tribune

Security beefed up at Assam's Kamakhya temple for 'Ambubachi Mela'

2011-06-22T23:31:00.000-07:00

Security has been tightened at the Kamakhya temple in Assam, where thousands of pilgrims are going to assemble during the upcoming four-day 'Ambubachi Mela'. About 1.5 million devotees and tourists from across the globe are expected to visit the state for the festival, which will begin on June 22 and end on June 25.

With the recent discovery of a programmable timer device from the Kanchenjunga Express on June 17, police have made elaborate arrangements for the safety of the pilgrims who visit the temple.

The district administration has deployed police and paramilitary forces at the temple premises. 64 CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic points inside and outside the temple precincts.

The cameras would help the police to closely monitor the visitors and ensure their security. The strategically placed CCTV cameras would transmit live feeds, which will be monitored from the control room by the police.

"The Debutter board has installed 64 CCTV cameras and security officials as well as paramilitary forces have been posted in and around the temple premises. Scouts and guides have also agreed to volunteer during the festival, apart from the local volunteers that would be present. So, security arrangements have been beefed up from our side," said Nabapati Sharma, secretary of Kamakhya Debutter Board. Police patrolling has also been intensified to maintain law and order situation in and around the temple premises. More than 600 volunteers, including scouts, guides and National Cadet Corps cadets would be deployed to assist temple authorities to maintain order during the Ambubachi festival. The temple authorities have made adequate arrangement to accommodate the huge conglomeration of devotees, including their food.

Appropriate arrangements have been made for emergency services like fire and health too. Social groups have also stepped in to help in the supplies of food, shelter and management. "The number of devotees visiting this place is increasing each year. Considering the crowd this time, it seems that more than 1.5 million would be visiting the temple. Last year, around 1.3 million devotees came for the festival," said Deepak Choudhary, SSP, Guwahati.

The festival of Ambubachi, which normally falls on June 22, symbolizes earth or mother Kamakhya attaining fertility as she prepares herself to conceive.

Source: The Indian Express

Additional 51 cameras at Kamakhya

As many as 64 electronic eyes will keep a close watch on devotees during the annual Ambubachi mela beginning at the Kamakhya temple on June 23. A police source said the closed-circuit television cameras would keep tabs on visitors and look out for troublemakers during the four-day religious congregation. He said apart from 13 permanent CCTVs at the temple, 51 additional cameras would be installed at strategic points inside and outside the temple precincts for the mela. Lakhs of devotees from across the country will arrive at the ancient temple for the festival.

A source said the CCTVs would help police closely monitor the visitors and ensure their security. “The strategically-placed CCTV cameras would transmit live feeds which will be monitored from the control room to be set up by police for the festival.” He said police pickets would be posted atop Nilachal Hill and patrol would be intensified in and around the temple to avoid any law and order problem during the mela days. Policemen in plainclothes will also be deployed during the festival.

The mela will commence on the night of June 22 when the temple doors will be closed to devotees. It will conclude on June 26 when the temple doors will reopen and more than one lakh devotees are expected to enter the sanctum sanctorum for darshan.
The source said adequate number policemen and CRPF personnel besides policemen in civvies would be deployed and any person who would arouse suspicion would be frisked.

Hectic preparations are on at the temple for the festival as the district administration and temple authorities have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the devotees. Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner J. Balaji, additional deputy commissioner Mrinal Gogoi, chief engineer of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, T. Rahman, and the officer-in-charge of Jalukbari police station, Kamal Rajbongshi, today visited the temple and took stock of the preparations.
Around 200 cleaners and sweepers will be engaged and the GMC will provide three garbage disposal trucks to maintain cleanliness on the temple premises from June 19 to 28. More than 600 volunteers, including scouts, guides and NCC cadets will be deployed to assist temple authorities to maintain order during the mela.
The source said arrangements for 16 special buses and 60 taxis would be made to ferry pilgrims. The source said 200 temporary toilets would be constructed and 250 drinking water taps set up for the devotees. “Moreover, sufficient number of floodlights and streetlights will be installed in and around the temple and on the road leading to the temple from the foothills,” he added.

Famous Ambubachi Mela in Kamakhya, Guwahati

2011-06-16T13:00:00.000-07:00

Source: http://www.religiousportal.com/index.html

Ambubachi Mela, also known as Ambubasi festival, is held annually during monsoon in the Kamakhya Devi Temple at Guwahati, Assam. In 2010, the beginning date of Ambubachi Mela is June 22nd and the festival ends on June 26. The Ambubachi festival is closely related to the Tantric cult and is also known as Kamkhya Devi Puja. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her menstrual cycle during these days and therefore the temple remains closed for three days. Ambubachi Mela is also known as Ameti or Tantric fertility festival and is a four-day mela (fair).

It is widely believed that Goddess Kamakhya goes through her yearly menstrual cycle during the Ambubachi days. The temple remains closed for three days – the menstruation period.

People in large numbers wait outside the temple on the fourth day, when the temple will be opened. Sanyasins and Pandas from around the country assemble at the Kamakhya temple during this period.

Large number of devotees make a mad rush when the temple reopens to receive the unique ‘prasad’ which is small bits of cloth, which is supposedly moist with the menstrual fluid of Goddess Kamakhya. It is considered highly auspicious and powerful.

Four lakh devotees throng Taratarini hill shrine on 2nd Tuesday of Chaitra month

2011-04-01T01:04:00.000-07:00

Tara Tarini Hills (Kumari Hills) from the Sky (Image Source: Google earth)

Around four lakh devotees from various parts of Orissa and from neighbouring states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh thronged the Tara Tarini hill shrine on the auspicious Second Tuesday of the month of Chaitra. Tara Tarini, an ancient Shakti shrine located on the banks of the mythologically famous river of Rushikulya, 30 km from Berhampur city, is believed to be the Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine) of Adi Shakti. The Shrine is one of the ancient most places of Shakti worship and among the four major Shakti centers in India. It bears a history of not less then 5000 years.

It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this month long fest in honour of the twin goddess is the biggest fair of India held at any religious shrine.

As per the report available, on the second Tuesday of Chaitra festival around 10,000 babies offered their hairs to the goddess and the number this year surpassed the number registered in the corresponding Tuesday of the previous years.

The festivities started at this shrine from Monday midnight itself and throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the devotees. After the traditional ceremonial works, the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini opened at around 1 a.m in the morning and darshan started after that.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division, Odisha, Shri Laxmi Narayan Nayak, Secretary Fisheries Government of Odisha Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian, Superintendent of Police Berhampur and Ganjam and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the executive officer and all other office bearers of Tara Tarini Development Board, were present on the occasion.

Last year on the third Tuesday of Chaitra, more than 6 lakh people visited the hill shrine. Therefore, sensing that, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) is making elaborate arrangements for the smooth darshan of devotees on the upcoming 3rd and 4th Tuesdays.

Month long famous ‘Chaitra' festival begins at Tara Tarini Breast shrine near Berhampur

2011-03-23T00:49:00.000-07:00

BERHAMPUR: Traditional Chaitra festival began at Tara Tarini hill shrine of Ganjam district on Tuesday. Four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are celebrated as a festival called ‘Tara Tarini Chaitra Jatra' at this hill shrine. Over a lakh devotees thronged to this hill shrine on the first Tuesday of Chaitra. A new ghat road to the hill top was also opened for devotees. Apart from the road communication there is also a ropeway to the hilltop. But most of the devotees who visited the hill shrine on Tuesday preferred to trek to the hill top rather than opting for easier modes of travel. As per Pramod Panda, secretary of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), special buses have been arranged to transport devotees to the hill top, yet devotees including the aged, women and children preferred to climb 999 steep steps to reach the hill shrine. Around 95 per cent of the devotees preferred to climb to the hilltop. Flow of devotees continued from 4 a.m. when the gates of the temple were opened. It continued till evening. The TTDB authorities arranged medical facilities. A village fair also came up at the foot hill. Devotional cultural programmes continued at the hilltop and downhill.

The authorities had put strict curbs on animal sacrifice at the hill shrine. It was totally banned on the hill and in area in close proximity to the hill.

This year, the almost complete new temple of this hill shrine attracted the visitors. According to TTDB authorities, the date for the ritualistic inauguration ceremony of the new temple would be decided a meeting to be held Thursday. Twelve senior Vedic pundits from all the nine traditional taluks of Ganjam district will attend the meeting.

Pratistha Utsav of renovated temple at Tara Tarini hill shrine to be held on 9th March

2011-01-17T09:48:00.000-08:00

Traditional ritualistic inaugural ceremony of the grand new temple dedicated to Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini will be held from March 03-09, 2011. This was decided at a general body meeting of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) held at Tara Tarini Hill shrine. The Law and Rural Development Minister, Government of Odisha Shri Bikram Keshari Arukh presided over the meeting. Ganjam District Collector and Vice President of TTDB, Shri V. Kartikeyan Pandian, Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Panda and other office bearers of TTDB, members of the Technical committee TTDB and senior officials of Government of Odisha were present on the occasion.

It is believed that Taratarini Sthana Pitha (Breast Shrine) is one of the ancient most and among the four major Shakti centers in India. It bears a history of not less then 5000 years. After the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board the oldest Shakti Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the hill shrine during the famous Chaitra Yatra in the month of Chaitra.

The new temple on the hilltop replacing the old temple of 18th Century, built by one of the historic and iconic figures in the religious history of Odisha Shri Basu Praharaj, is being built as part of the measures initiated to transform the hill shrine into a major religious- tourist destination of the Country. It is important to mention that during its more than 5000 years old history the temple has come up again and again.

The new temple is unique as it is a modern temple completely built adhering to the tenets of ancient Odishan temple architecture. Construction of the temple started in 2003. It is a ‘Rekha' style temple and bears intricate carvings. Sculptor Padmavibhusan Raghunath Mohapatra was the master architect of this modern temple built up in ancient form. Its major building material was sandstone which was abundantly used in the ancient temples of Orissa. Like the traditional temples, large black granite slabs were used as lintels for the new temple. These black granite slabs were procured from Buguda region of Ganjam district. The finishing work of the construction is on and within next one-and-half months total construction work of the main temple will be completed. The new Rekha style temple at the hill shrine has an elevation of about 68 ft. above the hilltop. The sandstone slabs used for the construction of the temple were procured from Ganjam and Nayagarh districts.

To cater to the needs of lakhs of visitors and to improve the communication facility on the lines of Tirupati and Vaishno Devi Hill Shrines the work on the new ghat road to the hill top is also under way. The new road will be less steep and wider than the existing old road. The road is being laid at a cost of Rs. 5 crores by the Rural Development Department of government of Odisha. Another ring road is also being laid around the Tara Tarini hill Shrine. These new on going projects are also scheduled to be completed by the end of February, 2011 much before the commencement of the famous Chaitra Festival.

Deepavali wishes

2010-11-05T10:40:00.001-07:00

Kamakhaya Temple, Guwahati

2010-06-05T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Kamakhya Temple is a shakti temple situated on the Nilachal Hill in western part of Guwahati city in

Assam

India

. It is the main temple in a complex of individual temples dedicated to different forms of the mother goddess as the Dasa Mahavidya, including Bhuvaneshvari, Bagalamukhi, Chinnamasta, Tripura Sundari and Tara. It is an important pilgrimage destination for general Hindu and Tantric worshipers.

Description

The current temple structure was constructed in 1565 by Chilarai of the Koch dynasty in the style of medieval temples. The form of the earlier structure, destroyed by the Kala Pahar, is unknown. The current structure has a beehive-like shikhara with delightful sculptured panels and images of Ganesha and other Hindu gods and goddesses on the outside.The temple consists of three major chambers. The western chamber is large and rectangular and is not used by the general pilgrims for worship. The middle chamber is a square, with a small idol of the Goddess, a later addition. The walls of this chamber contain sculpted images of Naranarayana, related inscriptions and other gods. The middle chamber leads to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple in the form of a cave, which consists of no image but a natural underground spring that flows through a yoni-shaped cleft in the bedrock. During the Ambuvaci festival each summer,the menstruation of the Goddess Kamakhya is celebrated. During this time, the water in the main shrine runs red with iron oxide resembling menstrual fluid.

It is likely that this is an ancient Khasi sacrificial site, and worshiping here still includes sacrifices. Devotees come every morning with goats to offer to Shakti.

The Kalika Purana, an ancient work in Sanskrit describes Kamakhya as the yielder of all desires, the young bride of Shiva, and the giver of salvation.Shakti is known as Kamakhya.

Worship

The Kamakhya Temple in

Assam

symbolizes the "fusion of faiths and practices" of Aryan and non-Aryan elements in Assam.The different names associated with the goddess are names of local Aryan and non-Aryan goddesses (Kakati 1989, p38). The Yogini Tantra mentions that the religion of the Yogini Pitha is of Kirata origin. According to Banikanta Kakati, there existed a tradition among the priests established by Naranarayana that the Garos, a matrilineal people, offered worship at the Kamakhya site by sacrificing pigs (Kakati 1989, p37).

The goddess is worshiped according to both the Vamachara (Left-Hand Path) as well as the Dakshinachara (Right-Hand Path) modes of worship (Kakati, 1989 p45). Offerings to the goddess are usually flowers, but might include animal sacrifices. In general female animals are exempt from sacrifice, a rule that is relaxed during mass sacrifices (Kakati 1989, p65).

Legends

According to the Kalika Purana, Kamakhya Temple denotes the spot where Sati used to retire in secret to satisfy her amour with Shiva, and it was also the place where her yoni fell after Shiva danced with the corpse of Sati. This is not corroborated in the Devi Bhagavata, which lists 108 places associated with Sati's body, though Kamakhya finds a mention in a supplementary list. The Yogini Tantra, a latter work, ignores the origin of Kamakhya given in Kalika Purana and associates Kamakhya with the goddess Kali and emphasizes the creative symbolism of the yoni.

Four Adi Shakti Peethas

The great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Kalika Purana and the AstaShakti recognize four major Shakti Peethas (centers), like Bimala (Pada Khanda) ( Inside Puri Jagannath Temple), Tara Tarini (Stana Khanda, Breasts)(Near Berhampur, Orissa), Kamakshi (Yoni khanda)(Near Gowhati, Assam) and Dakhina Kalika (Mukha khanda) (Kolkata, West Bengal) originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati. The Astashakti and Kalika Purana clearly says (IN SANSKRIT):

Bimala Pada khandancha,
Sthana khandancha Tarini (Tara Tarini), Kamakshya Yoni khandancha,
Mukha khandancha Kalika (Dakshina Kalika)
Anga pratyanga sanghena
Vishnu Chakra Kshyta nacha……..

Kamakhya during Ahom era

According to a legend the Koch Bihar royal family was banned by Devi herself from offering puja at the temple. In fear of this curse, to this day no descendants of that family dares to even look upward towards the Kamakhya hill while passing by.

Without the support of the Koch royal family the temple faced lot of hardship. By the end of 1658, the Ahoms under king Jayadhvaj Singha had conquered the Lower Assam and their interests in the temple grew. In the decades that followed the Ahom kings, all who were either devout Shaivite or Shakta continued to support the temple by rebuilding and renovating it.

Rudra Singha (reign 1696 to 1714) was a devout Hindu and as he grew older he decided to formally embrace the religion and become an orthodox Hindu by being initiated or taking sharan of a Guru, who would teach him the mantras and become his spiritual guide. But, he could not bear the thought of humbling himself in front a Brahmin who is his subject. He therefore sent envoys to Bengal and summoned Krishnaram Bhattacharyya, a famous mahant of Shakta sect who lived in Malipota, near Santipur in Nadia district. The mahant was unwilling to come, but consented on being promised to be given the care of the Kamakhya temple to him. Though the king did not take sharan, he satisfied the mahant by ordering his sons and the Brahmins in his entourage to accept him as their spiritual guru.

When Rudra Singha died, his eldest son Siba Singha (reign 1714 to 1744), who became the king, gave the management of the Kamakhya temple and along with it large areas of land (Debottar land) to Mahant Krishnaram Bhattacharyya. The Mahant and his successors came to be known as Parbatiya Gosains, as they resided on top of the Nilachal hill. Many Kamakhya priests and modern Saktas of Assam are either disciples or descendants of the Parbatiya Gosains, or of the Nati and Na Gosains.

Festivals

Being the centre for Tantra worship this temple attracts thousands of tantra devotees in an annual festival known as the Ambuvaci. Another annual celebration is the Manasha Puja. Durga Puja is also celebrated annually at Kamakhya during Navaratri in the autumn. This five day festival attracts several thousand visitors.

Source: Wikipedia

Tara Tarini Board to recover land donated to hill shrine

2010-05-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

The aim is to prevent some 600 acres from being encroached upon
BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to recover all the landed property donated to the hill shrine.
The TTDB authorities have approached the State Law and Revenue Departments for the purpose, said Secretary of the TTDB Pramod Kumar Panda. “We are now going through the past records of the temple to ascertain where the land patches donated to the hill shrine are located,” he said. It is anticipated that the hill shrine may have got more than 600 acres of land donated to it in different parts of the State. Half of it is located in Ganjam district. It was found that the hill-shrine was not getting any income or part of harvest from these land patches. The TTDB wants to recover the land before miscreants encroach upon it.

Tourism plan
This decision was taken at a recent high-level meeting organised in Bhubaneswar to discuss the future development of the hill shrine into a major tourist destination of the State. This meeting was chaired by State Law Minister B.K.Arukh and it was attended by State Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra, senior officials and TTDB authorities.
The State Tourism department has decided to help in the development of the hill-shrine and in the first phase it would sanction Rs 71 lakhs for the purpose. A high-level team of the department is expected to visit the shrine regarding it. The TTDB wants to increase the infrastructure at this hill shrine as the visitors to it are on the rise. On Tuesday in the month of Chaitra more than 20 lakh visitors reached the hill shrine.
Efforts are also on to protect hill from landslide. Outer protection walls would be constructed on the north and south sides of the hill. Retaining wall would be constructed on the river side to check landslide and soil erosion from the hill top. This work would be initiated at cost of Rs 1 crore by the rural development department of the state government.
The work on the new temple complex at the hill top would be completed by January 2011. Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine and construction of a new bus stand at the foot hill would be started soon.
The existing ghat road from Keshpur to the hill top would be widened at a cost of some Rs 5 crores, the TTDB authorities said.

Tara Tarini shrine to be religious tourist destination
Pioneer News Service, Berhampur: The famous shakti sthala Tara Tarini here will emerge as a major religious tourist destination soon.

The State Government has unveiled plans for the development of the hill shrine at a recently held high-level meeting attended by the State Law Minister, Tourism Minister apart from a host of senior officials and the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) officials.

Ever since the renovation of the ancient temple began in 2003 by the TTDB, the flow of visitors to the shrine has grown manifold. However, the peripheral development, construction of rope way and facilities for the visitors have been made through the support and contributions of the people.

But, realising its tourism potential and taking into account the ever increasing number of visitors to the shrine, the State Government has come forward to develop it as a major religious tourist destination and speed up the peripheral development work besides restoring land in excess of 200 acres belonging to the shrine.

The State is also planning for the construction of guard walls on the hilltop to check soil erosion. Further, the State Tourism Department has agreed to spend Rs 71 lakh in the first phase to boost its tourism potential.

High-level meeting reviews the development of Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

2010-04-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

• Comprehensive development of the Hill Shrine stressed

• Land belonging to the Shrine to be recovered

• Work of the Main Temple Complex to be completed by January 2011

• To check erosion and land-slide, retaining walls to come up with state support

After the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board the famous Taratarini Hill Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine during the month of Chaitra. This year the number swelled further. During five Tuesdays of the month around 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the shrine. However, the figures available from the local media reveals that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and even surpassed the 20 lakh figure anticipated by the Board. Taking this growing number into consideration the Tara Tarini Development Board is expecting the number of visitors to swell further in the coming years.

However, despite the development initiatives undertaken with active participation of the people in the last 7 years, the existing infrastructure is proving inadequate and the significant growth of tourists and visitors has come as a big challenge for the Board. On the other hand, unlike Puri Jagannath Shrine the Tara Tarini hill shrine has inadequate infrastructure to support 20 Lakh visitors within a month.

A high-level meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble minister of Law GoO Shri Vikram Arukh in Bhubaneswar on April 28, 2010 to review the on going developmental works being undertaken by the Tara Tarini Development Board at Taratarini hill shrine. Issues like creating national standard infrastructure for the benefit of visitors and ways to counter the challenge posed by the consistently growing number of visitors in the coming years were discussed in the meeting.

Minister of Tourism Government of Orissa Shri Devi Prasad Mishra, Principal Secretary Urban Development, Government of Orissa Shri Arun Panda, Transport & Commerce Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Secretary Law Government of Orissa and Commissioner Endowment Government of Orissa, Ganjam District Collector and Vice-President of TTDB Shri VK Pandian, all senior officials of the Department of Tourism and many other senior government officials of the state and district administration, apart from Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Panda, Senior audit officer Shri Arun Kumar Sabat, the office bearers of TTDB, Technical Committee members of TTDB and Temple Management were present on the occasion.

Reviewing the works of TTDB, Shri Arukh said the famous Taratarini Hill Shrine the Breast Shrine of Mata Sati, is one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India and an important prehistoric religious center. It is gradually emerging as the popular destination of visitors in Orissa. He said seeing the number of visitors in one month any body can say that it’s also emerging as a major religious-tourism destination of Orissa after Puri Jagannath.

He appreciated the work of TTDB and advised to focus on the time bound completion of the ongoing projects of the shrine and to take up developmental projects for the benefit of the growing number of visitors. Shri Arukh also gave importance to the immediate construction of outer protection walls and River-side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop and said the Rural Development department Government of Orissa will undertake the work of both the Northern and Southern side outer protection walls to ensure the safety of the hill top. He assured all help from government side to the Development Board.

Minister of Tourism Government of Orissa Shri Devi Prasad Mishra said Taratarini is an important and ancient Shakti centre of Orissa. Goddesses Tara-Tarini not only have been regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in almost every household in South Orissa but also is one among the principal centers of worship in the state. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotees, picnickers and visitors throughout the year. He said so far as tourism is concerned this place has enough potentials and as expected its also emerging as a major tourist destination in eastern India. He assured all support to TTDB and regular attention from his ministry to strengthen the infrastructure of the holy shrine and sanctioned Rs. 70 lakh in the first phase for the overall development of the shrine.

On this occasion the Principal Secretary Urban Development, Government of Orissa Shri Arun Panda presented the keynote address. He gave a proposal to reserve the land in front of the hill shrine for future development of the shrine and it was immediately accepted by the high level committee. Shri Panda also suggested the Board to take the help of reputed NGOs for maintenance of sanitation in and around the shrine and construction of more numbers of Lavatory complexes for tourists.

Transport & Commerce Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu presented the plan for the overall development of the ancient shrine and put emphasis on the early completion of the main temple, side temples, boundary wall, Bhog Mandap and other necessary constructions of the main temple complex on the hill top with in a time bound period. He gave a number of proposals for the development of the shrine area through PPP mode. Ganjam District collector and Vice-President of TTDB Shri VK Pandian delivered the welcome address.

Lastly, in the meeting it was unanimously decided that some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB and sanctioned by the technical committee of TTDB will be commenced soon for the convenience of devotees and tourists. That are:

1. The work of the hill top temple complex with four side temples and boundary wall will be completed by January 2011.

2. Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine for smooth transportation and the construction of a bus Stand on the foot hill will be started soon.

3. Permanent accommodation facility for the visitors on the foot hill to be arranged.

4. Completion of administrative office and ultra modern lavatory complex on the hilltop of the shrine within December 2010.

5. Further widening of the existing Ghat road from Keshpur to the Hilltop at a cost of around 5 crore to be completed by the end of this year.

6. Construction of North and South side outer protection walls and River side retaining walls to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop at a cost of 1 crore will be started soon by the Rural development dept. GoO.

7. The tourism department in the first phase will sanction 71 lakhs for the overall development of the shrine area. A high-level team will visit the shrine area soon for this purpose.

It was also decided that Ministry of Law govt. of Orissa will take immediate steps to recover all the donated cultivated and uncultivated land (Around 300 acres in Gajnam district and around the same size in other parts of the state) scattered in various parts of the state on the line of Jagannath Temple, Puri.

High-level meeting reviews the development of Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Berhampur: After the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board the famous Taratarini Hill Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine during the month of Chaitra. This year the number swelled further. During five Tuesdays of the month around 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the shrine. However, the figures available from the local media reveals that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and even surpassed the 20 lakh figure anticipated by the Board. Taking this growing number into consideration the Tara Tarini Development Board is expecting the number of visitors to swell further in the coming years.......... Read full story........

Tara Tarini temple to be tourist spot

Berhampur (Orissa), May 2: The Orissa government has planned to develop Tara Tarini temple, a shakti shrine in the Ganjam district, as a major religious tourist destination. The decision was taken at a high level-meeting held recently where the state government unfolded plans to develop the spot near Purushottampur, officials said. Read full story.

High-level meeting reviews the development of Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

By; R P Tripathy, Media & Publicity In-Charge, Taratarini Development Board, Berhampur ,Orissa, Press Release from Tara Tarini Development Board

• Comprehensive development of the Hill Shrine stressed

• Land belonging to the Shrine to be recovered

• Work of the Main Temple Complex to be completed by January 2011

• To check erosion and land-slide, retaining walls to come up with state support Read full story........

Orissa to develop Tara Tarini temple as a tourist spot

Berhampur (Orissa), May 2 Orissa government has planned to develop Tara Tarini temple, a shakti shrine in the Ganjam district, as a major religious tourist destination.......Read full story,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Odisha to develop Maa Tara Tarini temple as a tourist spot

Odisha government has planned to develop the famous Tara Tarini hill shrine, a shakti shrine in the Ganjam district, as a major religious tourist destination. The decision was taken at a high level-meeting held recently where the state government unfolded plans to develop the spot near Purushottampur, officials said.

Tara Tarini Sthana Peeth is situated on the holy Taratarini hill (Purnagiri) at a distance of 30 km from Berhampur. The Twin Goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshiped as manifestations of Shakti. The Taratarini Hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti ............. Read full story..................

Also published in O TV & The Times of India

Devotees make beeline on the concluding day of Chaitra festival in Taratarini hill shrine

2010-04-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

With a mammoth gathering and marked by devotional celebration on the fifth and last Tuesday of the auspicious month of Chaitra, the month long famous and biggest annual Chaitra festival at the ancient Taratarini Hill shrine came to an end. The ritualistic worship of the devotees and invocation of divine benediction charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating blend of spirituality and an all pervading solidarity.

It is notable, that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of celebration at this hill shrine and devotees gather in lakhs from the cross section of the country to take a glimpse of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini (Sthana Peetha of Mata Sati and one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India) to eradicate evil from the world and to fulfill all their worldly desires.

Like the other Tuesdays of the month there was also heavy rush on the last and fifth Tuesday on the hill top temple as it also happened to be Chaitra Purnami and the last day of the holy month of Chaitra. Darshan for the devotees started in the specially decorated sanctum sanctorum of the hill top temple after the midnight of Monday at around 3.00 a.m and continued up to late evening.

It is important to note that after the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board this famous Breast Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine during the entire month of Chaitra. This year the number swelled further. During five Tuesdays of the month around 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the Sthana Peetha. However, the figures available from various unofficial sources, particularly from the local media reveal that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and even surpassed the 20 lakh figure mark anticipated by the board.

It a known fact that despite the development initiatives undertaken with active participation of the people in the last 7 years, the existing infrastructure is proving inadequate and the significant growth of tourists and visitors has come as a big challenge for the Taratarini Development Board (TTDB). Being aware of this challenge the present Tara Tarini Development Board Chairman and RDC Southern Division Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector and deputy chairman of the Board Shri VK Pandian and other board members have decided to focus on the time bound completion of the ongoing projects of the shrine and to take up more number of developmental projects for the benefit of the growing number of visitors. To keep pace with this, the Board has approved a number of new projects recently. Some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB to be taken up for the convenience of devotees and tourists are…………

• For the benefit of devotees steps would be taken next year to arrange around 5000 tents with all other basic facilities for the temporary accommodation of at least 50,000 people.

• Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine for smooth transportation.

• Permanent accommodation facility for the visitors on the foot hill.

• The work of the hill top temple complex with four Parshwa temples and boundary wall to be completed in a time bound period.

• Completion of administrative office and ultra modern lavatory complex within a month on the hilltop.

• Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.

• Further development of Arial Rope-way.

• Construction of outer protection walls and River side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.

• Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.

• Lighting arrangements at the hilltop and the ways leading to the hill top temple.

• Widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.

• Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.

• Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas etc.

This year the biggest fair of Orissa at this shrine has passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents. TTDB thanks the local administration, volunteers, social organizations and local people for their excellent support during the month. The media (both electronic and print) which ensured that the happenings of the festivals reach those people who could not physically attend the festivities at the hill shrine of Maa Tara Tarini and their devoted work is praise worthy. TTDB appreciates their tireless efforts. By Ram Prasad Tripathy

With 300% increase in number of visitors on 4th Tuesday, Chaitra festivities reach a crescendo at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

2010-03-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

On the sacred occasion of Fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival around five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine from various parts of the state and outside. It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess.

Like the Third Tuesday (Around 7 lakh devotees gathered on that day) there was also heavy rush on the Fourth Tuesday on the hill top temple of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini as coincidentally it was also Mahastami day of Navaratri festivities.

On this Tuesday, the massive gathering broke all records of previous years as it saw a three fold increase in the number of visitors as compared to the last year. There were visitors from far of places like Assam, North eastern States, and Tamilnadu apart from states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.

The festivities had started at this shrine from Monday evening. Throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the devotees. After some ceremonial works the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini opened at around 2 a.m in the morning and darshan started after that. As per the report available on that occasion at least 50,000 people offered the hair of newborn babies at the Shrine similar to the practice found at Tirupati Balaji.

It may be noted that last year during the month of Chaitra more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine. So, sensing that the devotees would increase further, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has carried out a lot of development works and made wide arrangements for the smooth darshan of devotees.

Meanwhile, Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has also taken steps for the development of this Shrine. As part of the development programme, on the eve of the commencement of Chaitra festivities at the Shrine the CM has inaugurated a multifunctional complex and a lavatory complex on the foot hill of the Shrine and another ultra modern lavatory complex is also coming up on the hill top for the benefit of devotees. Appreciating the developmental projects taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB); which led to major transformation of this ancient hill shrine Shri Patnaik expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far which has led to the emergence of this Adi Shakti Peetha as a major centre of religious tourism in Orissa.

Principal Secretary Urban Development Government of Orissa Sh. Arun Panda, RDC Southern Division and Chairman of TTDB Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian, Collectors of many other districts, BMC Commissioner Sh. Veemsen Manseth, Superintendent of Police Berhampur and Ganjam and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the office bearers of TTDB were present on the Fourth Tuesday.

On the sidelines a meeting was held where the Principal Secretary Urban Development Government of Orissa Sh. Arun Panda and all office bearers of TTDB participated.

• It was decided that for the benefit of devotees next year steps would be taken to arrange around 5000 tents with all other facilities on temporary basis for the accommodation of atleast 50,000 people.

• More number of buses would ply for the smooth transportation on to the hill top.

• It was also decided that retaining walls would be constructed on both sides of the hill top to protect the area from land sliding.

• And the work of the hill top temple complex with four Parshwa temples and boundary wall will be completed in a time bound period.

The Ganjam District administration made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. The volunteers of the TTDB, different NGOs and voluntary organizations, the temple management and local residents extended their helping hand to devotees who came from various parts of the state and other neighbouring states.

_________________________________

R P Tripathy

Media & Publicity In-Charge

Tara Tarini Development Board

Berhampur

Orissa

2010-03-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Source: Anupam Bharat (Odiya Daily)

Sea of devotees throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine

2010-03-17T13:26:00.000-07:00

Lakhs of devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur, on third Tuesday of Chaitra and on the first day of Navaratri. It may be noted that the four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine. On this Tuesday more than five lakh devotees had reached the hill shrine. There was heavy rush as it was also day for the start of Navaratra festivities. There were visitors from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand as well as some NRI families. Following major transformation due to developmental projects taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB); this hill shrine has now become a major centre of religious tourism in south Orissa.

Chaitra month

It may be noted that last year during the month of Chaitra more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine. The TTDB authorities hope this year the devotees would increase further. The festivities had started at this hill shrine from Monday evening. Throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the visitors to the shrine. Although this hill shrine boasts to be having the only ropeway to a hilltop in the State, yet most of the devotees due to their traditional belief decided to climb to the top of the hill shrine. They walked on the ghat road or used the steep stair case. They climbed 999 steps as a penance to the deities.

Rural fair

A rural fair was on at the foothill. Urbanites who had reached the spot as picnickers enjoyed the village fair. Forgetting mental blockades related to hygiene for some time they relished fresh sugarcane and colourful sweets sold by the roadside vendors at this rural fair. The beautification and developmental works were taken up at the hill shrine by the TTDB from donations from the public. The State government in cooperation with the Ganjam district administration has formed the TTDB for development of this hill shrine into a major tourist destination. This board includes eminent persons of Orissa especially from southern region. The TTDB has now replaced the old temple with a new one in the traditional ‘Rekha' style of Orissa.

Source: The Hindu

Source : The Anupam Bharat

Thousands throng Tara Tarini hill shrine on first Tuesday of Chaitra

2010-03-03T12:32:00.000-08:00

The famous annual Chaitra festival at the Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur city in Orissa started from Tuesday. It is believed that Taratarini Sthana Peeth (Breast Shrine of Mata Sati) is one of the ancient and among the four major Shakti centers in India. Thousands of devotees had started gathering at the hill shrine from Monday afternoon itself. Transport Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu, RDC Southern Division and Chairman of TTDB Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the office bearers of TTDB and Temple Management were present on the occasion.

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. Apart from the aerial rope way the TTDB had also arranged special buses to carry visitors to the hill top. But most of the devotees, of all age groups, preferred to climb the 999 holy steps to the hilltop as they consider it to be a penance. Recently the steps have been repaired before the annual festival. The ghat road to the hilltop and the foot hill roads have also been widened in view of the growing number of visitors to the Shrine. On Tuesday only the special buses of the TTDB were allowed to ply on the ghat road for security reasons.

The Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur, Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Ganjam District administration and District police made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. The volunteers of the TTDB, different NGOs and voluntary organizations, the temple management and local residents actively helped the devotees who came from various parts of the state and other neighbouring states.

2010-03-01T01:21:00.001-08:00

Dakshin Kali / Kalighat Kali, Kolkata

2010-02-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

Kalighat Kali Temple is dedicated to goddess Maa Kali. It is one of the 4 main Shakti Peethas in India.The other three are Kamakashya, Tara Tarini & Bimala.

Kalighat was a Ghat (landing stage) sacred to Kali on the old course of the Hooghly river (Bhāgirathi) in the city of Calcutta. The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hoogly. The Adi Ganga was the original course of the river Hoogly (Ganga). Hence the name Adi (original) Ganga.

Worship

The temple is visited by pilgrims from all over India irrespective of sectarian differences. The thousands of pilgrims who flock daily to the Kalighat temple treat Kali very much like a human mother, bringing her their domestic problems and prayers for prosperity, and returning when their prayers are fulfilled to express their gratitude. Their attitude towards the Goddess is guided by their religious traditions and training, their spiritual and intellectual capacities, and the guidance of their temple priests.

Legend

Kalighat is regarded as one of the 51 Shakti Peethas of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the head of Sati fell. But some people believe that the right toe of Sati fell here.

Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.

History

Kalighat Kali Temple, 1887

Kalighat TempleThe Kalighat temple in its present form is only about 200 years old, although it has been referred to in Mansar Bhasan composed in the 15th century, and in Kavi Kankan Chandi of the 17th century. Only two types of coins of Chandragupta II, who incorporated Vanga in the Gupta Empire, are known from Bengal. His Archer type coins, which became the most popular type of coinage with the Gupta rulers after Kumaragupta I, have been found in Kalighat. This is evidence of the antiquity of the place.

The original temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The present temple was erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Banisha. It was completed in 1809. The Haldar family claims to be the original owners of the temple property. But this was disputed by the Chowdhrys of Banisha. In the nineteen sixties a committee was formed for the administrative management of the temple with representation from the Government and the Haldar family. The responsibility of conducting the worship rests with the Haldars and their heirs, generally known as Shebaits.

The image of Kali

The image of Kali in this temple is unique. It does not follow the pattern of other Kali images in Bengal. The present idol of touchstone was created by two saints - Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri. Three huge eyes, long protruding tongue made of gold and four hands. Two of these hands holding a sword and a severed head. The Sword signifies Divine Knowledge and the Human Head signifies human Ego which much be slain by Divine Knowledge in order to attain Moksha. The other two hands are in the abhaya and varada mudras or blessings, which means her initiated devotees (or anyone worshiping her with a true heart) will be saved as she will guide them here and in the hereafter.

New chairman takes over charge of Taratarini Development Board

2009-11-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

TARATARINI DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Regd. No.: GJM No. - 7177-A – 676/2002-2003
Hillpatna, Berhampur – 5, (Ganjam), Orissa(0680) 2215168, E-Mail:rdcbmp@ori.nic.in,
Website:http:/taratarini.nic.inPress ReleaseShri Chandrasekhar Kumar, IAS and the new Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division, Odisha has taken over the chairmanship of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), considered as one of the prominent temple administration of the State. This famous prehistoric religious hill shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati and one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India.
As per the convention of the Board, Mr Kumar who has recently joined as the RDC, Southern Division is replacing the outgoing RDC and the Chairman of TTDB Shri Satyabrata Sahu, who has since joined as the Commerce & Transport secretary of Government of Orissa.
It is noteworthy that Shri Satyabrata Sahu’s Chairmanship was eventful as it marked the completion of the 1st phase of the magnificent stone temple at Taratarini Hill Shrine. During his tenure the Board has successfully completed the Work of the main temple for the Twin Goddesses, Initiated the work of widening of the 999 holy steps with rest sheds, Widening the roads leading to the hilltop, Providing drinking water facility on the hill top, Constructed the first Arial “Rope Way” of Eastern India for fastest communication of visitors and Started massive plantation in and around the hill shrine for the maintenance of eco-system.
After taking over the charge Shri Kumar visited the holy shrine and discussed the status of the 2nd phase of work, which is going to commence soon to fulfill the basic requirements of the visitors. Board secretary Shri Pramod Panda and other board members tabled the primary draft of the second phase of work and it was decided that after through consultation, the Board will shortly start the 2nd phase work and will try its best to complete the on going projects before the commencement of the forthcoming Chaitra Mela.The TTDB members, office bearers and the temple administration while congratulating Shri Kumar expressed the hope that the Hill Shrine will become a great center of religious and tourist importance in the country under his chairmanship.
It is worth mentioning that the second phase work of the temple which will start soon includes; Construction of a huge multipurpose complex on the hilltop, four side-temples, boundary wall and outer protection wall / river side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.Construction of administrative office on the hilltop.Construction of Bhog Bazaar on the hilltop.Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.Construction of a big public utilities complex.Construction of waiting hall for the Rope-way on the hilltop.Further development of Arial Rope-way.Arrangement of space to accommodate the buildings for ATMs, Lockers, Shoe stands and other facilities.Completion of Kalyana Mandapam.Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.Flood lighting arrangements at the hilltop and inside the temple premises. Lighting arrangement on the 999 holy stone steps and road leading to the Hilltop from Taratarini junction.Further widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas.Construction of a hospital.Construction of a residential school and training centre for the physically challenged etc.
Regards,

R P Tripathy

Chandrasekhar Kumar takes over as the chairman of Taratarini Development Board

2009-11-12T05:13:00.000-08:00

BERHAMPUR: Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, IAS and the new Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division has taken over the chairmanship of the Tara Tarini Development Board, considered as one of the prominent temple administration and development bodies of the State. As per the convention of the Board, Mr Kumar who has recently joined as the RDC, southern division is replacing the outgoing RDC and the Chairman of TTDB Shri Satyabrata Sahu, who has since joined as the Commerce & Transport secretary of Government of Orissa. Shri Sahu’s Chairmanship was eventful as it marked the completion of 1st phase of the magnificent stone temple at Taratarini Hill Shrine and the shrine and its peripheral areas witnessed massive development in the past few years.
The TTDB members and office bearers while congratulating Shri Kumar expressed the hope that the Hill Shrine will become a great center of religious and tourist importance in the country under his chairmanship. It is worth mentioning that the second phase of the temple, which includes construction of a massive complex for the devotees and the construction of four side-temples, boundary walls, social initiatives apart from many other small projects and plantation drive, have started recently.

Prince Dance Group visited the famous Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

2009-08-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

Met the Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik

Immediately after landing in Berhampur from Mumbai after winning the India’s Got Talent (IGT) award, the Prince Dance Group leader T Krishna Mohan Reddy with all his team members, visited the famous Adi Shakti Peetha of Maa Tara Tarini to seek her divine blessing on August 24. The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine, considered as the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers (Adi Shakti Peetha) of India and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years.
Paying obeisance to Maa Tara Tarini at the hill shrine, Krishna said Prince Dance Group has come to this position only for the blessing of the Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini and he has also given out details how he is now receiving invitations from abroad. Chairman of ‘Tara Tarini Development Board’ and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Orissa, Shri Satyabrat Sahu, organized the Darshan and Prasad Seva at the holy shrine. All other members of the Development Board were present on the occasion. Pradip Panigrahi, MLA Gopalpur and other local leaders were also accompanied the Group.
Krishna expressed gratefulness to the State Administration, which has come as a great help to his group. He said that now they have decided to run a professional dance Academy with the support of the state Government at Berhampur.
Life of Krishna and his colleagues have changed after winning the top most award of IGT show. Now all of them are in high spirits. Telephone calls from foreign countries are pouring in.
He added, thanks to the success in India’s Got Talent Show, invitations are almost raining. After the successful debut in a national forum, Krishna Mohan Reddy on 23 August got a call from US. The organizers from US have invited the Prince Dance Group to perform Dasavatar.
On 24 August another event management group from US has also invited them to perform the typical dance. Call from Singapore came to Krishna to visit the country for performance.
Orissa Chief Minister is taking personal interest and making all arrangements to make them happy, admitted Krishna. “I have never seen an ever loving Naveen Patnaik, who gave me a foreign chocolate, which I have never tasted in life”. CM is taking all care and we are indebted to him for his kindness Krishna said. Later reaching Bhubaneswar, Prince Dance Group met the Chief Minister. Mr. Naveen Patnaik patted on their back and organized their visit to Lord Jagannath Puri. And the Chief Minister promised them all out support, said Krishna.

TaraTarini Hill Shrine among the most visited destinations of India

2009-06-16T05:33:00.000-07:00

The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine (the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India. and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years), near Berhampur city is gradually emerging as the popular destination of visitors in Orissa.
According to the data available from the ‘Taratarini Development Board’, this year on the auspicious occasion of the holy month of Chaitra (March / April 2009) at the Taratarini Hill Shrine more than 17 lakh devotees visited the Breast Shrine within a month from various states of India and abroad for a Darshan of the Twin Goddesses. It is noteworthy, that the four holy Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are famous for Shakti Puja in this Breast Shrine of Mata Sati. So, every year lakhs of devotees visit this shrine on these days.
It is worth mentioning that this year, particularly in the four famous Tuesdays around 12 lakh devotees have visited and in other days around 5 lakh visited to the Hill Shrine
Amongst them around 13,00,000 visitors are from Orissa, 2,00,000 from Andhra Pradesh around 1,00,000 from West Bengal and the rest mainly from Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam and other States.
However, this year the number of visitors from overseas has gone down compared to previous years. This time around a thousand foreigners visited during this month to the famous holy Shrine.
However, the figures available from various source reveals that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and with 17 lakh visitors this holy Shrine virtually has established a new record amongst the religious destinations of the country.The Statistics:First Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 1,92,000
Second Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 3,98,000
Third Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 4,80,000
Fourth Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 1,60,000
In other days of Chaitra, total number of devotees visited, around 5,00,000
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Total 17,30,000
Apart from this month, in the rest 11 months around 8,00,000 visitors are expected to visit this holy Shrine. So the Tara Tarini development Board has anticipated that, this year the figure of the total number of visitors will go up to 25 lakhs.
The Statistics of Last 5 Years:

1. 2004---12,00,000
2. 2005---13,78,000
3. 2006---15,07,000
4. 2007---16,70,000
5. 2008---19,40,000

Sensing this rapid growth of visitors the state administration in cooperation with the Ganjam district administration has created ‘Taratarini Development Board’ incorporating some of the eminent persons of Orissa and mainly from Southern Orissa, under the Chairmanship of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Southern Orissa in 2002/03. Since then the Taratarini Development Board (TTDB) has started the overall development of the Taratarini Hill Shrine and its nearby areas. Over this period of time the Board has successfully completed the work of a stone temple on the Hilltop for the Twin Goddesses and has initiated the work of widening of the 999 sacred stone steps with rest sheds, widening of the roads leading to the Hilltop and providing drinking water facility on the hill top and constructed the first Arial “Rope Way” of Eastern India for fastest communication of visitors.
After the formation of the Board this famous Breast Shrine got the much needed attention and spark and owing to that in the last five years the number of pilgrims visiting the shrine has gone up significantly.
To keep pace with this, the Board has approved a number of new projects for the benefit of visitors. Some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB to be taken up in the first phase, on the hilltop of the Taratarini Hill Shrine for the convenience of devotees and tourists are…………

· Construction of administrative office on the hilltop.
· Construction of Bhog Bazaar on the hilltop.
· Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.
· Construction of a hospital.
· Construction of public utilities
· Construction of waiting hall for the Rope-way on the hilltop.
· Arrangement of space to accommodate the buildings for ATMs, Lockers, Shoe stands and other facilities.
· Further development of Arial Rope-way.
· Construction of Kalyana Mandapam.
· Construction of outer protection wall and River side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.
· Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.
· Flood Lighting arrangements at the hilltop and inside the Temple premises.
· Lighting arrangement on the 999 holy stone steps and road leading to the Hilltop from Taratarini junction.
· Widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.
· Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.
· Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas.
Also Published in the Hindu, Tathya.in & OrissaDiary.com