Naveen visits Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

BERHAMPUR: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Orissa Chief Minister, Mr.Naveen Patnaik, filed his nomination papers for the Hinjili Assembly constituency (Ganjam district) at Chatrapur on March 28. Mr. Patnaik is contesting from Hinjili seat for the third time in a row. He reached Chatrapur, the district headquarter of Ganjam district, by a helicopter to submit his nomination papers.
Before that he did not forget to offer his obeisance and special ‘Puja’ at the famous Tara Tarini Hill Shrine. Thousands of his supports and several leaders of the party accompanied Mr. Patnaik when he visited the temple of the twin Goddesses and spend around an hour on the hilltop. It is noteworthy that the famous and the holiest Tara Tarini Hill Shrine (http:/taratarini.nic.in) is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites of mother goddess and amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers in India. The Mythological Texts recognize four major Shakti peethas (centers), like Bimala, Taratarini (Orissa), Kamakshi (Assam) and Dakhina Kalika (West Bengal, Kolkata) among the 52 sacred Shakti Peethas, which originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga.

Lakhs of devotes throng the Taratarini Sthana Peetha

On the auspicious occasion of the Second Tuesday of the holy Chaitra festival at the Maa Taratarini Hill Shrine near Berhampur city, Orissa (a famous Shakti centre of South India and the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati), more than two lakh devotees thronged the Hill Shrine from various parts of India and abroad for a Darshan of the Twin Goddesses on March 24 2009.
It is noteworthy that the famous and the holiest Tara Tarini Hill Shrine (www.taratarini.blogspot.com), (http:/taratarini.nic.in) is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites of mother goddess and amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers in India. The Mythological Texts recognize four major Shakti peethas (centers), like Bimala, Taratarini (Orissa), Kamakshi (Assam) and Dakhina Kalika (West Bengal, Kolkata) among the 52 sacred Shakti Peethas, which originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga.
Rooted in the hoary past, mentioned in the Puranas, the Tantras and as the main seat of Tantric cult for thousand of years and center of Shakti worship since time immemorial, this Hill Shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine of Mata Sati) and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of not less than 6000 years.
This great Shakti centre has also been the confluence ground of plethora of ancient religions like the Vedic religion, the Brahminical religion, the Hinduism, the Buddhism, the Tantricism etc. Unquestionably, these facts from the Mythology demonstrate the historicity and importance of the Hill Shrine it occupied in the past. Further, the presence of the mythological pious river Rushikulya or Rushikalyani (Known as the elder sister of the Ganges in the Vedas) on the foot hill of the Shrine has further enhanced the significance of the Tara Tarini Dham.
It is believed that the month of Chaitra and the four Tuesdays of this month are famous for Shakti Puja. So, every year lakhs of devotees visit this shrine on these days.
The Temple administration and the Tara Tarini Development Board made wide ranging arrangements like security, transport, Prasad (food) for all devotes, drinking water, medical services and arrangement of barbers for mundane on this occasion.
The fair on the second Tuesday passed of peacefully for which the Board would like to thank the Orissa state administration, district administration, devotees, local people, volunteers and also appreciates the cooperation of the police and fire department.
It is also hoped that the fair on the coming Third Tuesday of Chaitra, which generally sees the biggest congregation would pass off peacefully and the Board is geared up to ensure a peaceful and hassle free Darshan of the Goddess for the devotees.

BY: R.P.Tripathy
In-Charge Media & Publicity
Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB)
Berhampur, Orissa

Taratarini Mela among India's biggest fairs

By R.P.Tripathy

The 'Taratarini Mela' one of India's biggest fairs takes place on each Tuesdays of the month of 'Chaitra' i.e. from around mid-March to mid-April at Taratarini Hill Shrine, 25-km from Berhampur City, the Southern headquarters of Orissa State (India). A grand congregation takes place on each Tuesday of the month and more than a million people visit the sacred Shrine of the Mother Goddess during this period. The interesting part of the fair is, devotees offer the first bunch of Hair of the newborns to the Goddess with a hope that the Goddess will usher prosperity, long life and protect the newborns from all evils. Though, the shrine draws huge crowd throughout the year but the month of Chaitra is considered the most auspicious. Parents in this part of India make sure that their children offer their only belonging "hair" to the Goddess and get her blessings and benediction before they embark on the journey of life. The fair is also marked by the presence of local artisans, delicacies and picnickers all around the Hill Shrine leading up to the banks of sacred river Rushikulya.