Happy Dussehra

Shodasa Puja commences at Tara Tarini Shakti Peeth in Berhampur, Odisha

The famous Sodasha Puja at Tara Tarini Shakti Peeth near Berhampur in Odisha started from Mulastami i.e. on 04 October, 2015. This Puja will continue till Mahastami i.e. on 20th October, 2015. In major Shakti Peethas like Kamakshya, Daksinakali, Tara Tarini, Bimala, Chamundeswari and Maha Kali the Durga Puja is observed for 16 days, starting from Bhadrapada Krushna Paksha Ashtami to Ashvina Shukla Paksha Navami of the Hindu Calendar, also known as Shodasa Puja or  Shodasa Dinatmaka Upachara.

Noteworthy Tara Tarini is worshiped as the Breast Shrine (Sthana Peetha) and manifestations of Adi Shakti. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient Tantra Peethas and Shakti Peethas in India.

Amidst chanting of hymns the Sodasha Puja also known as Devi Utthapana began at Tara Tarini shrine after 3.00 pm on Mulastami. 108 Sevakas of Tara Tarini Shakti Peeth brought 108 pots of water from the holy Rushikulya River flowing at the foothill of the shrine.  After rituals of Snana, Majana, Mangala Arati, Maha Arati, Chhandi Path and commencement of Chandi Yagna in the established tradition, the goddess gave darshan to her devotees in the Rajarajeswari Besha and the entire process continued till 12.30 pm next day.

As per the information from the shrine, the Chandi Patha and Chandi Yagna started on the first day of Sodasha Puja will continue till last day of Vijayadashami / Dussehra. Out of the 16 days, the Navratri Puja will start from October 13 and will culminate on October 21. Navaratri is the last nine days of Shodasa Puja and the Shakti is also worshiped by devotees in different pandals for a period of nine days.

According to the Vedic scriptures, Adi Shakti or Goddess Durgā is a symbol of power. She is worshipped in nine different forms and is therefore termed Nava-durgā. Each of the nine manifestation of Durgā are  worshipped with full devotion during Navarātri at Tara Tarini Adi Shakti Peeth. These nine forms of manifestation are Śhailaputrī, Brahmachāriṇī, Chandrakaṇṭā, Kuṣhmāṇḍā, Skandamātā, Kātyāyanī, Kālarātrī, Mahāgaurī and Siddhidātrī. It is believed that if worshipped ‘Nava Durgā’ with religious fervor during Navaratri, it bestows all spiritual fulfillment to a devotee.

The Sodasha Puja, Navratri and Vijayadashami are very important and major festivals in the religious calendar of this Shakti Peeth. During this entire 16 days period, the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini remains open round the clock for Darshan of the devotees. Lakhs of devotees gathering to obtain darshan of Maa during Sodasha Puja.

Ram Prasad Tripathy

PRO, Tara Tarini Development Board, 

Berhampur, Odisha

Tara Tarini Chaitra Yatra to be polythene-free

The famous Maa Tara Tarini Chaitra Yatra of Ganjam is going to begin from March 10. As per traditions, it will be performed on the four Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra. Keeping in view the flow of lakhs of devotees to the temple, the district administration held a preparatory meeting at Chatrapur on February 10. Revenue Divisional Commissioner (SD) and chairperson of the Tara Tarini Development Council Sailendra Narayan De presided over the meeting.

Old Image of Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha :Braving heat lakhs of devotees standing in long queue to enter the famous Tara Tarini hill temple (Breast Shrine of Shakti) near Berhampur city in Ganjam district, Odisha

Ganjam Collector Premchand Choudhury explained the significance and pride of the heritage temple and the famous yatra and sought the cooperation of all the service wings of the district administration and people of all walks of life for smooth and successful conduct of the yatra.

The meeting, among other things, decided to make the entire region of Maa Tara Tarini Temple free from polythene, construct adequate  rest sheds to protect devotees from possible heat wave, provide drinking water, put in place effective traffic system for transportation of devotees, provide temporary healthcare camps and sanitation in the temple premises, deploy fire fighting vehicles and ODRAF team, prohibit sale and consumption of liquor and other drugs in the region, repair and renovate all approaching roads on war footing and construct temporary toilets for devotees, among others.

It was also decided in the meeting that the Chatrapur Sub-Collector will review the progress of the preparatory work once in each week till the yatra begins. A master plan for all-round development of the temple was presented. The committee advised the chief of the Technical Committee Binod Kumar Patra to complete all the pending works on war footing.

Among others, Maa Tara Tarini Temple Development Council secretary Pramod Kumar Panda, Additional Collector Pradeep Kumar Nanda, CDMO Dr PC Sahu, the Ganjam ADMO, the Chatrapur Sub-Collector, the Purushottampur BDO, representatives of Sevayats Tapan Rana and Jagannath Rana attended.

51 Shakti Peeth- Maa Tara Tarini Shakti peeth Darshan

51 Shakti Peeth- Maa Tara Tarini Shakti peeth Darshan
Video Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdrT12TTs2U#t=71
Courtesy- Z News

Maa Tara Tarini Sthana Peeth, Ganjam, Odisha