Tara Tarini Shakthi Peethas is situated on the bank of River Rushikulya near Purushottampur in Ganjam District. It isone of the most Prominent ancient Shakti peethaor Tantra Pitha of Orissa. According to historians and researchers, it was originally a Buddhist Tantric temple. Historically Tara and Tarini both are Buddhist Goddesses.
This important and famous Temple is situated on the top of the Kumari hill or popularly known as Tara-Tarini Pahad (Hill). The height of the hill is about 708 ft. and it has spread over 180 Acres of land.
The picturesque panorama of the temple and the river Rushikulya gives enormous pleasure and experience of nature and divinity to each pilgrim.
You have to climb 999 steps on the front side of the hill leading to the temple or can reach at the top through a pucca road for vehicle on the backside of the hill. Provisions of electricity, drinking water and a small market complex at the site with articles for worship exist.
The Temple is small but beautiful one and famous Shrine of Tara-Tarini. Worship at this important Shakti Pitha has been continuing since time of immemorial. Two stones has been anthropomorphized by the addition of gold and silver ornaments and shaped as human faces are the main Shrine of this temple which represents the Goddesses Tara and Tarini.
Taratarini Temple is located at Berhampur in Odisha ,India .This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is one among 51 Shakthi Peethas. The Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of four major ancient Tantra Peetha and Shakti Peethas in India.
It is believed that the shrine is a Shakti Peetha.Shakti Peethas are holy abode of Parashakti. This is believed to have originated from the mythological story, of falling of the body parts of the Breasts of Sati Devi, when Shiva carried it and wandered.
Tara Tarini to their human forms as two beautiful girls who used to live some times with their devotees ( who later became their priests ) they caused miracles to make the devotees feel their presence and take steps for their worship.
One of such legend reveal that Vasu Praharaja , a learned Brahmin of Kharida Vira Jagannathpur Sasan near Purushotampur had the opportunity to be the foster father of the two sisters Tara-Tarini who in due course of time by the divine order of Tara-Tarini did the needful to perform Yagyan and established the Shrine at the hill top in a temple for daily worship.
Chaitra Parba/Chaitra Mela/Chaitra Yatra is the most important among the festivals, celebrated at the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine.
Do:
Do pray your Ishta Devata before pilgrimage to Temple.
Do contact Temple Devasthanam information centre for enquiry, temple information and for Pooja details etc.
Do reserve your travel and accommodation at Temple well in advance.
Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple.
Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
Do respect religious sentiments at Temple.
Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only.
Don't s:
Do not come to Temple for any purpose other than worshipping of God and Goddess.
Do not smoke at Temple.
Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple.
Do not eat non-vegetarian food in the Kshetram.
Do not approach mediators for quick Darshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others.
Do not carry any weapon inside the temple.
Do not wear any head guards like helmets, caps, turbans and hats inside the temple premises.
Do not perform Sastanga Pranama inside the Sanctum Sanctorum.
Do not take much time while performing Sparsa Darshanam to God in Garbhagriha.
Do not buy spurious prasadams from street vendors.
Do not encourage beggars at Temple.
Do not spit or create nuisance in the premises of the temple.