Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8 - Page 20

Tara Tarini Sakti Pith Orissa

The tradition of Shakti worship in India can be traced back to the period of antiquity. Shakti is the mother of Universe the highest primal power transferred to powerful Goddess representing the creative force, Matrika, later developed to Shakti or Prakriti under various names of Sati or Devi (Durga / Parvati)ad depicted in Purana-etihasa and Tantra literature. Worship of Shakti , as a pan -Indian phenomenon , predates Sanskrit influences of every kind. There are a number of important Shakta centers in India Among those Orissa has been considered to be one of the most important Shakti centre and Tara-Tarini at Kumari hills on the bank of River Rushikulya near Purushottampur in Ganjam District is one of the most ancient Shakti pithas of Orissa.

Goddesses Tara-Tarini have been regarded as the presiding deity(Ista-Devi)in almost every house in South Orissa. This important and famous Shakta Pitha is situated on a hill top at a distance of 30 Kms towards north of Brahmapur on the south bank of river Rushikulya. The height of the hill is approximately 708ft. and the total area spreading over 180 Acres of land. The hill is popularly known as Tara Tarini Hill(Parvata) and is surrounded by natural beauty . The picturesque scenery of the temple,from the hill top down to the bank of river Rushikulya gives immesse pleasure and a thrilling experience of nature and divinity to each pilgrim - visitor and often captivates its mind and soul. There are 999 steps on the front side of the hill leading to the temple and also a pucca road for vehicle on the backside of the hill facilitating devotees to reach at the Pitha. Provisions of electricity, drinking water and a small market complex at the site with articles of puja /archana are additional features of this Pitha.

At the hill top in a small but beautiful temple appears the famous Shrine of Tara-Tarini. Worship at thisimportant centre of Shakta cult has been continuing since time immeonial . Two stones anthropomorphized by the addition of gold and silver ornaments and shaped to be seen as human faces are the main Shrine of this temple which represents the Goddesses Tara and Tarini.In between them are placed two fully celebrated and beautiful brass heads as their Chalanti Pratima. It has been said that from a tribal cult Tara-Tarini have been transformed into Shakti cult through the process of aryanisation.Of couse the name Tara, the Primordial deity of the Mahayana Budhist Pantheon , indicates Budhist influence of element in the Tara - Tarini worship which seems to suggest the incorporation of a tribal cult and Buddhist influence before its Hinduisation.

There are no historical and other records to exactly show when Tantrika practices entered into the Buddhist faith before 1^st Century B.C. Some correct inferences , however , can be made with available literature found in China, Tibet, Sinhala (Srilanka)Nepal and India. The existing historical records do not go beyond the great Buddhist Councils successively convened upto the reign of Kaniska. These great Councils discussed the rise of the new unorthodox canon , as upheld by Maha Sangikas.The Mahavastu composed during this period show how Mahayanism emerged in the scene during the 1^st Century B.C. and accepted into its fold all the prevalent religious doctrine , practices and belief of Buddhism and Hinduism as well . Thus, Buddhism in its historical philosophical and social aspects , in its thought and resultant practicesaccepted and incorporated Hindu Tantra relating to Shakti worship.

It is believed that by the time Ashoka conqured Kalinga Empire he found it to be a famous centre of Buddhism.Undoubtedly this part of Orissa, particularly Ganjam region on the bank of river Rushikulya was very active in Buddhist pursuits.

Besides the worship of Tara by the Buddhist Tantrikas the maritime history of Kalinga also suggest the worship of Tara by the Sadhavas, merchants and sea-men before launching their sea voyage.

Once upon a time river Rushikulya was conducive to navigation and probably the worship of Tara has been a practice among the people of this region involved in mari-time activities . Even some ruins of a brick foundation at village Mukundapur on the south bank of river Rushiklya at the bottom of Tara-Tarini Hill and the so called Ganda ( deep river ) adjacent to this points to some flourishing maritime activities in this region through river Rushikulya. Hence , on the basis of these evidences the worship of Shakti at Tara-Tarini can be traced back to a very old age.

It is said that the breasts of Sati fell at the Kumari Hills on the bank of river Rushikulya and thus the famous Tara Tarini Shakta Pitha arose at this place.

Some other legends also associate 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 Yagya and established the Shrine at the hill top in a temple for daily worship.

From all these historical evidences and fragment of various legends it can be concluded that Tara-Tarini is one of the ancient most Shakta Pitha of Orissa.

This Kali Mata/ Maa Kaali/ Bhadrakali temple is one of the primitive Shakti Peeth amongst the main 52 in this world. This temple is fully dedicated to Badrakhali, a stern form of Shakti. As per the famous Shiva-Sati story,, it is alleged that the Right Ankle of Mata Sati fell here in a well in front of this temple. Presently a metal right ankle idol has been placed in front of Maa Kali's main idol/ murti being worshipped by all. This Shaktipeeth is otherwise also refered as Savitripeeth, Devikoop,

The consort of Savitri is called Sthanu. Hence, the city is called Sthaneswar or Thanesar. Here the devotees offer terracotta horse that is a mud horse, to the deity for having their wishes fulfilled. You will find various horse idols in the center of the Mandir Verandah facing the lotus in the center. The devotees feel sanctified after coming here and they force themselves to come again to the shrine as the serene atmosphere helps the mind to relieve from stress.

The temple is now a modern mortar contructed temple in a typical Hindu Mandir style with one main and 2 little shorter mounts as in the picture above. The main temple mount could be around 80-100 feet high. It is painted with beautiful white color on base and with red, orange, golden and black on top. The temple has a vast compound area. The main gate opens on a main road. Entering the temple compound, there is a straight 100 m approximate path to walk, where people even park their vehicles and a park on the right and open space on the left to that path. Moving further just before the main door of the there is a prasad shop and a common hand wash area on the left. You can get horse idols and other prasad at this place to offer Maa Bhadrakali. Entering the main door of the temple there is a circular central well shaped area, where there is a beautiful lotus being constructed and horse idols on the peripheral. Across in front is the main temple room where Maa Bhadrakaali's main idol is kept for worshipping and a metal idol of the right ankle of foot placed on the door in front as well. Devotees bow at in front of this idol and then take a Parikrama (circumambulation of shrines) of this temple room. Alongside the parikrama, you worship other God and Goddess idols situated around the main temple room including Maa Saraswati, Maa Gayatri and more

Just right to the main temple room is the open hall created for satsang/ kirtans in front of Shri Hari and his most famous incarnation idols, i.e. Radha-Krishna and Siya-Ram. There after on the left of the main Maa's room there goes a stair to take you to the first floor of the temple, where you find more idols, including a Shiv Lingam, a Beautiful Idol of Lord Rudra carrying Maa Sati's Abode and Lord Vishnu riding his Garuda with his Sudarshan Chakra depicting the event of the legend associated to the Shaktipeethas.

From the temple top, you can see the relatively open surroundings with small but concrete houses around and curvy paths of the little town.

Goddess Bhadrakali is one of the eight Is forms of Goddess Kali. Huge crowds accumulate in the heavenly premises of the temple on the occasion of Navratri festivals and likewise on every Saturday. Throughout Navratri celebration (September October and in Mar-Apr) the temple is adorned with different materials and lit up continuously fo9 days. The celebration is commended for every one of the 9 days and everyday prayers God and bhajans or heavenly melodies or holy songs of the Goddess are sung in extraordinary dedication.

The magnificence of the Goddess Sati Mata is incredibly lovely and beautiful.There is an astounding statue of Bhadrakali in this temple. South facing Hanuman Ji, Ganesh Ji and Bhairav Ji are present here as attendants and their idols are also adorned at every occasion. There is also an incredible Shivling or emblem of Lord Shiva in which head, consecration and snake is embossed naturally. As per legends, all Shaktipeethas were established by Lord Shiva. And all places where he established the Shaktipeeths, he posted a form Bhairav Bhagwan for protection.

In this holy place, Dwaipayan Sarovar with his gada is in the southern side and Sun Yantra or Surya Yantra and Daksheswara Mahadev temple is in the north-west. Sthaneshwar Mahadev is the closest Shiva Temple to this area and you should visit that along.

Jayanti Sakti pith

present Bangladesh

Devi's left thigh fell here and the idols are Devi as Jayanti and Shiva as Kramadiswar. Jayanti is situated at Kalajore Baurbhag village of Falzur Pargana under Jayantia Thana of Sylhet district, Bangladesh. This Shakti Peetha is locally known as Falizur Kali Bari.

Adorned by mountains, forests and a river, Jayanti is a quiet little village 11 km. away from Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri District of West Bengal. Tall forests of Sal, Segun, Simul, Palash and Sirish trees hide the mountains and sky, while the sparkling Jayanti River flows beneath. Though normally accessible, the pathways may become difficult to negotiate during the monsoon.

A two-hour trek takes one to the top of a hill from the Jayanti Railway station, where there is a Sati Temple. There is also a Mahakaal Temple in three adjacent caves. In the first cave there are idols of the Brahma-Vishnu- Maheshwar trinity, in the second there is one of Lord Shiva, and in the third, that of Goddess Mahakali.

Jessore / Yashohar/ Yashor in present Bangladesh (ancient Bangadesh)

Devi's centre of the hands fell here and the idols are Devi as Jashoreswari and Shiva as Chanda (Moon or the one who holds the moon). Jashoreswari, situated at Ishwaripur, Shyamnagar, district Satkhira, Bangladesh. The temple complex was built by Raja Pratapaditya, whose capital was Ishwaripur.

Narmada Sakti pith Shon desh

Narmada Sakti pith at Shon Desh is where Sati's Right Buttock fell. Here Sati is worshipped as Narmada Devi and Lord Shiva as Badrasen Bhairav . or Vadrasen.

Shondesh Shakthi Peeth is located in Amarkantak, Anuppur District, Madhya Pradesh. Amarkantak is an ancient city which is a pilgrim centre. Amarkantak is Sanskritword- Amar meaning immortal and Kantak meaning hindrance.

The place is also known as Theerthraj or King of Pilgrimages. Amarkantak city is situated at a place where Vindhya and Satpura ranges merge at an altitude of 1065 meters. Amarkantak is also the place where the holy River Narmada and River Sona originate. Both the rivers flow in opposite directions, Narmada flows westwards from Amarkantak, and River Sona flows eastwards. Amarkantak city is sanctified with the River Narmada which is 150 million years older than the River Ganga flowing. The city Amarkantak is a nature-lover's delight as the city is surrounded with lush green dense forests, hills, waterfalls and rivulets.

The nearest railway station is from Pendra Road station which is 17 kms. Bus services to Amarkantak is excellent with regular connectivity from neighbouring cities like Shahdol, Umaria, Jabalpur, Rewa, Bilaspur, Anuppur and Pendra Road. The nearest airport is at Jabalpur which is 245 kms and Raipur in Chhattisgarh which is 230 kms

a) Mai ki Bagiya: is a garden in dense forest where Devi Narmada used to pluck flowers. There are many temples of gods and goddesses in this garden, besides a kund(pond). The garden is also known for medicinal plants.

b) Narmada Udgam is the place where the holy River Narmada originates. River Narmada originates from Lord Shiva in the heaven and descends to earth at the open "Kund(source)in the River Narmada at Amarkantak. The river is surrounded by many temples such as Guru Gorakhnath temple, Sri Suryanarayan temple, Vangeshwar Mahadev temple, Durga temple, Shiv Pariwar, Siddheswar Mahadev temple, Sri Radha Krishna temple and Ekadasa Rudra temple. There is also Narmadeshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva at the source of River Narmada.

c) Sonmuda: refers to the source or origin of the Sona River. As gold granules were found in the waters of Sona River, the river came to be known as Sonmuda. The river is located about 1.5 kms from Naramada Kund temples. The source of the river is converted from a small pond to Kund. The river is also a "sunrise point as it provides a magnificent view of the sun rise.

d) Kapildhara is a waterfall named after Kapila Muni. Kapiladhara is formed by the joining of two streams Erandi and Kapila at River Narmada. The falls is at a height of 100 feet. Kapila Muni is said to have meditated here. There is also a temple dedicated to Kapil Muni known as Kapileshwar temple near the falls.

e) Dudhdhara: is one of the magnificent falls of the Narmada River. The foaming water falling from a height of 10 ft is in milky white colour, thus the name Dudhdhara. There is a cave where Sage Durvasa meditated.

The ancient temple situated amidst nature's beauty is a white stone structure. The art and architecture of the temple is splendid. The deity Narmada Devi in the Sanctum Sanctorum is adorned with a golden "Mukut or "Kirit and is seated on a Silver platform. There are images of other goddess on either side of Narmada Devi.

Shondesh Shakthi Peeth is an ancient temple about 6000 years old. The temple is founded by Suryavanshi Samrat Mandhata.

Navaratri is celebrated in Chaitra masa (March- April) and Ashvija masa (Sep- Oct)for nine days. Other festivals celebrated are: Deepavali, Somvati Amavasya, Ram Navami, Makar Sankranti and Sharad Poornima. Devotees offer fruits, homemade sweets and milk to the Narmada Devi. Shivaratri is also celebrated in a big way when devotees keep fast, offer milk, flowers and Bilwa leaves to the Shiva Linga.