The 'Taratarini Mela' or Chaitra Mela at Taratarini shrine
is one of the biggest fairs, take place during the month of Chaitra and
particularly on each Tuesday of the month of Chaitra i.e. during March-April
(according to the English calendar) at the holy Tara Tarini Hill Shrine. Lakhs
of devotees come from every corner of world in order to have darshan of the
Goddess Tara Tarini and perform their Manasika after fulfillment of their
desires. Grand congregations take place on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Tuesdays
of this month. This Chaitra Parba/Chaitra Mela/ festival is the most
important amongst the festivals, celebrated at the Tara Tarini Hill Shrine.
Significant features of the Chaitra festival are as follows;
- On Tuesday, the Shrine remains open for the Darshan of the
deities from 1.00 AM (mid-night on Monday) till 11 PM (of Tuesday). During that
period, Pahada (daytime rest) of the deities is confined to night-time only.
- Devotees in large numbers congregate at the top of the hill
and the foothill from Monday night itself.
- 2nd & 3rd Tuesdays of the Chaitra are considered to
be the most auspicious days to get Siddhi. Therefore large number of devotees
(Around 5-7 lakhs) congregate during these days.
- Puja and offering by the devotees are offered to the
Chalanti Pratima of deities placed at the Bije Peetha for the Bije Pratima
in-front of the temple. However, Darshan of the deities in Garbha Griha
(Sanctum of the main temple) is allowed.
- Special Khechidi Bhoga (Fried Rice of around 1,000 K.g of
rice, Ghee, Cashew, dry fruits and other items) is supplied to the devotees
from Monday mid-night till 6 PM of Tuesday evening non-stop.
- Thousands of devotees come to the shrine during the month of
Chaitra and particularly on four Tuesdays to offer the first bunch of Hair of
their newborn babies to the goddesses.
- About 20-30 lakh devotees and tourists visiting this holy
shrine during this month.
Hair Offerings
during Chaitra Mela
Devotees come to offer the first bunch of Hair of the
newborn babies with the believe that Goddesses Tara Tarini will protect the
newborns from all evils and ensure their well-being. On normal days the temple
barber conducts the tonsuring of the children. Special arrangements for hair
offering are made during the Chaitra Tuesday festivals. The temple
administration arraigning all equipment necessary for tonsuring. Around 1000
barbers at the barber-shed on hill top and on the foot hill are engaged to help
the hair offering of children and other devotees. Hair offering continues from
the early morning till 6 PM of Chaitra Tuesdays.
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