Sunday, December 12, 2010

OSCHC planning to set up Travel Stoppage Centre & Food Centre at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

The Odisha State Cooperative Housing Corporation (OSCHC) would now enter into the hospitality industry and tourism sector. We are proposing to diversify into the tourism and hospitality sector, said the OSCHC Managing Director, Ram Mohan Patra.
According to him, the Corporation would take up the infrastructure building projects under World Habitat Programme.
The Corporation is planning to set up Travel Stoppage Centres (TSCs) along with a Small Food Centres (SFCs) at famous pilgrim places of the state like Tara Tarini hill Shrine (the oldest Shakti Peetha and Sthana Peetha of Adi Shakti) in Ganjam district, Biraja Kshetra in Jajpur district, Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur district, Aradi-Akhandalmani in Bhadrak district, Kapilash in Dhenkanal district and Buguda Biranchi Naryan Temple in Ganjam district ect.
The Food Centres would serve local cuisine, said the Managing Director.
Mr. Patra said that the OSCHC would also set up dwelling units in rural areas with the support of the National Cooperative Development Council (NCDC).

Monday, November 15, 2010

TaraTarini Hill Shrine to get a face-lift

BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has decided to take up construction work with around Rs. 1.2 crore within next one year to further develop the temple complex at the hill top. This was decided at a meeting of the TTDB chaired by its president Chandrasekhar Kumar, RDC, southern division. The main temple of this hill shrine was reconstructed at a cost Rs. 2.5 crores in traditional ‘Rekha' style of Oriyan temple architecture by master sculptor Padmabhusan Raghunath Mohapatra. The TTDB has entrusted Mr. Mohapatra with the next phase of construction work on the temple complex at the hill top. The design of the construction work was finalised at a meeting by the technical committee of the TTDB. Under it, a boundary wall will be built around the temple in traditional form at a cost of around Rs. 50 lakhs. Four ‘parswa' temples will be built up at four corners of the temple complex at a cost Rs. 44 lakhs. Apart from it, a modern kitchen will also be added to the temple complex. The kitchen complex will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs. “We have decided to complete these projects within a year and Mr. Mohapatra has also agreed to it,” said Pramod Kumar panda, secretary of the TTDB.
Meanwhile, work on the new ghat road to the hill top is also under way. The new road will be less steep and wider than the existing old road. The road is being laid at a cost of Rs. 5 crores by the Rural Development Department. Another ring road is also being laid around the Tara Tarini hill at a cost of Rs. 50 lakhs. The RDC directed the department to complete the construction of the roads by April, 2011.
The Tourism Department has also come up with plans of developmental projects for the hill shrine with Rs. 71 lakhs. Survey for it has already been complete. The TTDB has also decided to prepare a comprehensive master plan for the area around the hill shrine. A survey will be taken up in five km radius around the hill shrine soon for the purpose.
Source: The Hindu 

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Source: The Sambad

Medical centre to come up at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has proposed to establish a modern medical centre at the foot hill of this hill shrine with the support of the State government.The authorities of the TTDB held discussions with the State health secretary Anu Garg regarding the plan during her visit to the hill shrine. According to secretary of TTDB Pramod Kumar Panda the health secretary showed positive interest towards the project. The TTDB has proposed to provide all necessary infrastructures for the project. They have urged the State health department to provide doctors and para-medics.Mr. Panda said there is extreme need of a medical centre at this hill shrine as lakhs of devotees congregate here during the month of Chaitra and also during Navaratri celebrations.This year during the four Tuesdays of Chaitra over 20 lakh devotees visited this hill shrine. This medical centre would also benefit inhabitants of four panchayats in the area. It may be noted that the TTDB is continuing its efforts to develop it as a major tourist destination of Orissa. The work on the new temple complex at the hill top is expected to be complete by January 2011. Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine and construction of a new bus stand at the foot hill also start soon. A modern lavatory complex is also to be operational on the hill top. The existing ghat road from Keshpur to the hill top would be widened at a cost of around Rs. 5 crore , the TTDB authorities said.
Efforts are also on to protect hill from landslide. Outer protection walls are to be constructed on the north and south side of the hill. Apart from it retaining wall would be constructed on the side of the hill that faces Rushikulya River to check land slides and erosion from the hill top.This work is being taken up by the rural development department of the State government.
Source: The Hindu

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Orissa to develop Tara Tarini temple as a major religious tourist destination

Berhampur (Orissa), May 2 (PTI) Orissa government has planned to develop Tara Tarini temple, a shakti shrine in the Ganjam district, as a major religious tourist destination.
The decision was taken at a high level-meeting held recently where the state government unfolded plans to develop the spot near Purushottampur, officials said.
While Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has renovated the old hill-top temple, several other peripheral development works including the approach roads, round the clock water supply, community toilets and a 'pantha nivas' were constructed by various departments of the government.
Situated on the banks of river Rushikulya, about 30 km from Berhampur city, the place is visited by lacks of people every year, particularly on all Tuesdays of the Hindu month of Chaitra.
Also published in Chennai on line.com, Orissa Barta, Orissa Diary

Friday, April 30, 2010

High-level meeting reviews the development of Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

•Hill Shrine to be developed as a national level destination
•Comprehensive development of the Hill Shrine stressed
•Land belonging to the Shrine to be recovered
•Work of the Main Temple Complex to be completed by January 2011
•To check erosion and land-slide, retaining walls to come up with state support
After the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board the famous Taratarini Hill Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine during the month of Chaitra. This year the number swelled further. During five Tuesdays of the month around 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the shrine. However, the figures available from the local media reveals that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and even surpassed the 20 lakh figure anticipated by the Board. Taking this growing number into consideration the Tara Tarini Development Board is expecting the number of visitors to swell further in the coming years.
However, despite the development initiatives undertaken with active participation of the people in the last 7 years, the existing infrastructure is proving inadequate and the significant growth of tourists and visitors has come as a big challenge for the Board. On the other hand, unlike Puri Jagannath Shrine the Tara Tarini hill shrine has inadequate infrastructure to support 20 Lakh visitors within a month.
A high-level meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble minister of Law GoO Shri Vikram Arukh in Bhubaneswar on April 28, 2010 to review the on going developmental works being undertaken by the Tara Tarini Development Board at Taratarini hill shrine. Issues like creating national standard infrastructure for the benefit of visitors and ways to counter the challenge posed by the consistently growing number of visitors in the coming years were discussed in the meeting.
Minister of Tourism Government of Orissa Shri Devi Prasad Mishra, Principal Secretary Urban Development, Government of Orissa Shri Arun Panda, Transport & Commerce Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu, Secretary Law Government of Orissa and Commissioner Endowment Government of Orissa, Ganjam District Collector and Vice-President of TTDB Shri VK Pandian, all senior officials of the Department of Tourism and many other senior government officials of the state and district administration, apart from Secretary TTDB Shri Pramod Panda, Senior audit officer Shri Arun Kumar Sabat, the office bearers of TTDB, Technical Committee members of TTDB and Temple Management were present on the occasion.
Reviewing the works of TTDB, Shri Arukh said the famous Taratarini Hill Shrine the Breast Shrine of Mata Sati, is one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India and an important prehistoric religious center. It is gradually emerging as the popular destination of visitors in Orissa. He said seeing the number of visitors in one month any body can say that it’s also emerging as a major religious-tourism destination of Orissa after Puri Jagannath.
He appreciated the work of TTDB and advised to focus on the time bound completion of the ongoing projects of the shrine and to take up developmental projects for the benefit of the growing number of visitors. Shri Arukh also gave importance to the immediate construction of outer protection walls and River-side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop and said the Rural Development department Government of Orissa will undertake the work of both the Northern and Southern side outer protection walls to ensure the safety of the hill top. He assured all help from government side to the Development Board.
Minister of Tourism Government of Orissa Shri Devi Prasad Mishra said Taratarini is an important and ancient Shakti centre of Orissa. Goddesses Tara-Tarini not only have been regarded as the presiding deity (Ista-Devi) in almost every household in South Orissa but also is one among the principal centers of worship in the state. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotees, picnickers and visitors throughout the year. He said so far as tourism is concerned this place has enough potentials and as expected its also emerging as a major tourist destination in eastern India. He assured all support to TTDB and regular attention from his ministry to strengthen the infrastructure of the holy shrine and sanctioned Rs. 70 lakh in the first phase for the overall development of the shrine.
On this occasion the Principal Secretary Urban Development, Government of Orissa Shri Arun Panda presented the keynote address. He gave a proposal to reserve the land in front of the hill shrine for future development of the shrine and it was immediately accepted by the high level committee. Shri Panda also suggested the Board to take the help of reputed NGOs for maintenance of sanitation in and around the shrine and construction of more numbers of Lavatory complexes for tourists.
Transport & Commerce Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu presented the plan for the overall development of the ancient shrine and put emphasis on the early completion of the main temple, side temples, boundary wall, Bhog Mandap and other necessary constructions of the main temple complex on the hill top with in a time bound period. He gave a number of proposals for the development of the shrine area through PPP mode. Ganjam District collector and Vice-President of TTDB Shri VK Pandian delivered the welcome address.
Lastly, in the meeting it was unanimously decided that some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB and sanctioned by the technical committee of TTDB will be commenced soon for the convenience of devotees and tourists. That are:
1. The work of the hill top temple complex with four side temples and boundary wall will be completed by January 2011.
2. Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine for smooth transportation and the construction of a bus Stand on the foot hill will be started soon.
3. Permanent accommodation facility for the visitors on the foot hill to be arranged.
4. Completion of administrative office and ultra modern lavatory complex on the hilltop of the shrine within December 2010.
5. Further widening of the existing Ghat road from Keshpur to the Hilltop at a cost of around 5 crore to be completed by the end of this year.
6. Construction of North and South side outer protection walls and River side retaining walls to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop at a cost of 1 crore will be started soon by the Rural development dept. GoO.
7. The tourism department in the first phase will sanction 71 lakhs for the overall development of the shrine area. A high-level team will visit the shrine area soon for this purpose.
8. It was also decided that Ministry of Law govt. of Orissa will take immediate steps to recover all the donated cultivated and uncultivated land (Around 300 acres in Gajnam district and around the same size in other parts of the state) scattered in various parts of the state on the line of Jagannath Temple, Puri.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Devotees make beeline on the concluding day of Chaitra festival in Taratarini hill shrine

With a mammoth gathering and marked by devotional celebration on the fifth and last Tuesday of the auspicious month of Chaitra, the month long famous and biggest annual Chaitra festival at the ancient Taratarini Hill shrine came to an end. The ritualistic worship of the devotees and invocation of divine benediction charged the atmosphere with an exhilarating blend of spirituality and an all pervading solidarity.
It is notable, that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of celebration at this hill shrine and devotees gather in lakhs from the cross section of the country to take a glimpse of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini (Sthana Peetha of Mata Sati and one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India) to eradicate evil from the world and to fulfill all their worldly desires.
Like the other Tuesdays of the month there was also heavy rush on the last and fifth Tuesday on the hill top temple as it also happened to be Chaitra Purnami and the last day of the holy month of Chaitra. Darshan for the devotees started in the specially decorated sanctum sanctorum of the hill top temple after the midnight of Monday at around 3.00 a.m and continued up to late evening.
It is important to note that after the formation of the Tara Tarini Development Board this famous Breast Shrine got the much needed attention and owing to that in the last 7 years the number of pilgrims visiting to the shrine has gone up significantly. Last year more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine during the entire month of Chaitra. This year the number swelled further. During five Tuesdays of the month around 20 lakh devotees and tourists visited the Sthana Peetha. However, the figures available from various unofficial sources, particularly from the local media reveal that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and even surpassed the 20 lakh figure mark anticipated by the board.
It a known fact that despite the development initiatives undertaken with active participation of the people in the last 7 years, the existing infrastructure is proving inadequate and the significant growth of tourists and visitors has come as a big challenge for the Taratarini Development Board (TTDB). Being aware of this challenge the present Tara Tarini Development Board Chairman and RDC Southern Division Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector and deputy chairman of the Board Shri VK Pandian and other board members have decided to focus on the time bound completion of the ongoing projects of the shrine and to take up more number of developmental projects for the benefit of the growing number of visitors. To keep pace with this, the Board has approved a number of new projects recently. Some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB to be taken up for the convenience of devotees and tourists are…………
• For the benefit of devotees steps would be taken next year to arrange around 5000 tents with all other basic facilities for the temporary accommodation of at least 50,000 people.
• Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine for smooth transportation.
• Permanent accommodation facility for the visitors on the foot hill.
• The work of the hill top temple complex with four Parshwa temples and boundary wall to be completed in a time bound period.
• Completion of administrative office and ultra modern lavatory complex within a month on the hilltop.
• Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.
• Further development of Arial Rope-way.
• Construction of outer protection walls and River side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.
• Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.
• Lighting arrangements at the hilltop and the ways leading to the hill top temple.
• Widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.
• Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.
• Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas etc.
This year the biggest fair of Orissa at this shrine has passed off peacefully without any untoward incidents. TTDB thanks the local administration, volunteers, social organizations and local people for their excellent support during the month. The media (both electronic and print) which ensured that the happenings of the festivals reach those people who could not physically attend the festivities at the hill shrine of Maa Tara Tarini and their devoted work is praise worthy. TTDB appreciates their tireless efforts.
By R P Tripathy

Saturday, March 27, 2010

NEWS: Five lakh devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine of Orissa on Fourth Tuesday of Chaitra festival

Five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine of Orissa
Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Berhampur: On the sacred occasion of Fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival around five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine from various parts of the state and outside. It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess. Read More............. Link. http://www.orissadiary.com/Ganjam/ShowDistrictNews.asp?id=17472,
Tara Tarini hill shrine a big draw
 
Rise in number of visitors to the hill shrine
Four Tuesdays of ‘Chaitra' are special days for darshan of deities
Plan to build four more ‘parshwa temples'
BERHAMPUR: After its development, the Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district is fast emerging a major tourist destination of Orissa.
During the current month of Chaitra more than 20 lakh tourists have already visited the hill shrine. Last year around 17 lakh tourists visited the hill shrine during the same period. It may be noted that the four Tuesdays of Chaitra are considered special days for darshan of the deities. During these days, a large rural fair also comes up at the foothill of the shrine. The rush of devotees continued during the Navaratri, which ended on Ramnavami. Read More............. Link.........
Lakhs throng Taratarini shrine for Chaitra festival
PNS, Bhubaneswar: On the sacred occasion of the fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival, around five lakh devotees from various parts of the State and outside thronged the Taratarini hill temple. All the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine. This is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess.
Like the third Tuesday when about seven lakh devotees gathered, there was also a heavy rush on the fourth Tuesday in the temple of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini as coincidentally it was also Mahastami of the Navaratri festivities. Read More............. Link.........
Devotees throng to Taratarini
Berhampur:25/March/2010: On the sacred occasion of Fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival around five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine from various parts of the state and outside. It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess. Read More............. Link......... http://www.tathya.in/news/story.asp?sno=3902,

With 300% increase in number of visitors on 4th Tuesday
Chaitra festivities reach a crescendo at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

TARATARINI HILL SHRINE. BLOGSPOT
SOUTH ORISSA.BLOGSPOT (The Essence of Orissa)
Tara Tarini Temple.BLOGSPOT
Odisha Observer.BLOGSPOT
On the sacred occasion of Fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival around five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine from various parts of the state and outside. It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess.
Like the Third Tuesday (Around 7 lakh devotees gathered on that day) there was also heavy rush on the Fourth Tuesday on the hill top temple of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini as coincidentally it was also Mahastami day of Navaratri festivities. On this Tuesday, the massive gathering broke all records of previous years as it saw a three fold increase in the number of visitors as compared to the last year. There were visitors from far of places like Assam, North eastern States, and Tamilnadu apart from states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Read More............. Link......... http://taratarini.blogspot.com/2010/03/with-300-increase-in-number-of-visitors.html,
Devotees throng Tara Tarini shrine
Staff Reporter BERHAMPUR, The Hindu: Large crowd gathered at Tara Tarini hill shrine in Ganjam district on third Tuesday of Chaitra. It may be noted that the four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine. On this Tuesday more than three lakh devotees had reached the hill shrine. There was heavy rush as it was also day for the start of Navaratra festivities. There were visitors from other states like Andhra........................

Thursday, March 25, 2010

With 300% increase in number of visitors on 4th Tuesday, Chaitra festivities reach a crescendo at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

On the sacred occasion of Fourth Tuesday of the famous Chaitra festival around five lakhs devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine from various parts of the state and outside. It may be noted that all the Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine and this is the biggest fair held here in honour of the twin goddess.
Like the Third Tuesday (Around 7 lakh devotees gathered on that day) there was also heavy rush on the Fourth Tuesday on the hill top temple of Adi Shakti Maa Taratarini as coincidentally it was also Mahastami day of Navaratri festivities.
On this Tuesday, the massive gathering broke all records of previous years as it saw a three fold increase in the number of visitors as compared to the last year. There were visitors from far of places like Assam, North eastern States, and Tamilnadu apart from states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
The festivities had started at this shrine from Monday evening. Throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the devotees. After some ceremonial works the sanctum of Maa Tara Tarini opened at around 2 a.m in the morning and darshan started after that. As per the report available on that occasion at least 50,000 people offered the hair of newborn babies at the Shrine similar to the practice found at Tirupati Balaji.
It may be noted that last year during the month of Chaitra more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine. So, sensing that the devotees would increase further, the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has carried out a lot of development works and made wide arrangements for the smooth darshan of devotees.
Meanwhile, Orissa Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has also taken steps for the development of this Shrine. As part of the development programme, on the eve of the commencement of Chaitra festivities at the Shrine the CM has inaugurated a multifunctional complex and a lavatory complex on the foot hill of the Shrine and another ultra modern lavatory complex is also coming up on the hill top for the benefit of devotees. Appreciating the developmental projects taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB); which led to major transformation of this ancient hill shrine Shri Patnaik expressed his satisfaction with the progress made so far which has led to the emergence of this Adi Shakti Peetha as a major centre of religious tourism in Orissa.
Principal Secretary Urban Development Government of Orissa Sh. Arun Panda, RDC Southern Division and Chairman of TTDB Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian, Collectors of many other districts, BMC Commissioner Sh. Veemsen Manseth, Superintendent of Police Berhampur and Ganjam and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the office bearers of TTDB were present on the Fourth Tuesday.
On the sidelines a meeting was held where the Principal Secretary Urban Development Government of Orissa Sh. Arun Panda and all office bearers of TTDB participated.
• It was decided that for the benefit of devotees next year steps would be taken to arrange around 5000 tents with all other facilities on temporary basis for the accommodation of atleast 50,000 people.
• More number of buses would ply for the smooth transportation on to the hill top.
• It was also decided that retaining walls would be constructed on both sides of the hill top to protect the area from land sliding.
• And the work of the hill top temple complex with four Parshwa temples and boundary wall will be completed in a time bound period.
Principal Secretary Urban Development Government of Orissa Sh. Arun Panda, RDC Southern Division and Chairman of TTDB Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian assured all help from government side to the Development Board.
The Ganjam District administration made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. The volunteers of the TTDB, different NGOs and voluntary organizations, the temple management and local residents extended their helping hand to devotees who came from various parts of the state and other neighbouring states.
______________________________
R P Tripathy
Media & Publicity In-Charge
Tara Tarini Development Board
Berhampur
Orissa

Friday, March 19, 2010

Lakhs of turtles nest in Rushikulya beach near Taratarini Hill Shrine,Orissa

Over one lakh endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles have laid eggs on the beach adjoining the Rushikulya river mouth near Taratarini Hill Shrine in district Ganjam, Orissa since March 13 as scientists observed the phenomenon with interest. The eggs are expected to hatch in the first week of May, about 45 days after the mass nesting. Rushikulya river mouth is just 20km from the famous Shakti Shrine Taratarini and around 40 km from Berhampur city, Orissa.
While 6,000 turtles emerged from the sea to lay eggs in the wee hours of March 13, around 65,000 swarmed the four-km long sandy beach between Gokharakuda and Kantiagada the next day. The number of nesting turtles came down thereafter.
Kartik Shanker, a turtle biologist from the Indian Institute of Science - Bangalore and Basudeb Tripathy of the Wildlife Institute of India, who are here to study the pattern of mass nesting, said the laying of eggs could continue sporadically for a few more days.
Source: PIT

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Sea of devotees throng TaraTarini Hill Shrine on 3rd Tuesday of Chaitra

Lakhs of devotees thronged Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur, on third Tuesday of Chaitra and on the first day of Navaratri. It may be noted that the four Tuesdays of Hindu month of Chaitra are days of festivity at this hill shrine. On this Tuesday more than three lakh devotees had reached the hill shrine. There was heavy rush as it was also day for the start of Navaratra festivities. There were visitors from other states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand as well as some NRI families. Following major transformation due to developmental projects taken up by the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB); this hill shrine has now become a major centre of religious tourism in south Orissa.
Chaitra month
It may be noted that last year during the month of Chaitra more than 17 lakh people visited the hill shrine. The TTDB authorities hope this year the devotees would increase further. The festivities had started at this hill shrine from Monday evening. Throughout the night there were cultural programmes to entertain the visitors to the shrine. Although this hill shrine boasts to be having the only ropeway to a hilltop in the State, yet most of the devotees due to their traditional belief decided to climb to the top of the hill shrine. They walked on the ghat road or used the steep stair case. They climbed 999 steps as a penance to the deities.
Rural fair
A rural fair was on at the foothill. Urbanites who had reached the spot as picnickers enjoyed the village fair. Forgetting mental blockades related to hygiene for some time they relished fresh sugarcane and colourful sweets sold by the roadside vendors at this rural fair. The beautification and developmental works were taken up at the hill shrine by the TTDB from donations from the public. The State government in cooperation with the Ganjam district administration has formed the TTDB for development of this hill shrine into a major tourist destination. This board includes eminent persons of Orissa especially from southern region. The TTDB has now replaced the old temple with a new one in the traditional ‘Rekha' style of Orissa.
Source: The Hindu

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Thousands throng Tara Tarini hill shrine on first Tuesday of Chaitra


The famous annual Chaitra festival at the Tara Tarini hill shrine near Berhampur city in Orissa started from Tuesday. It is believed that Taratarini Sthana Peeth (Breast Shrine of Mata Sati) is one of the ancient and among the four major Shakti centers in India. Thousands of devotees had started gathering at the hill shrine from Monday afternoon itself. Transport Secretary Government of Orissa Shri Satyabrata Sahu, RDC Southern Division and Chairman of TTDB Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, Ganjam District Collector Shri VK Pandian and many other senior state and central government officials, apart from the office bearers of TTDB and Temple Management were present on the occasion.

The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) made elaborate arrangements for the devotees. Apart from the aerial rope way the TTDB had also arranged special buses to carry visitors to the hill top. But most of the devotees, of all age groups, preferred to climb the 999 holy steps to the hilltop as they consider it to be a penance. Recently the steps have been repaired before the annual festival. The ghat road to the hilltop and the foot hill roads have also been widened in view of the growing number of visitors to the Shrine. On Tuesday only the special buses of the TTDB were allowed to ply on the ghat road for security reasons.

The Army Air Defence College, Gopalpur, Berhampur Municipal Corporation, Ganjam District administration and District police made elaborate arrangements for the visitors. The volunteers of the TTDB, different NGOs and voluntary organizations, the temple management and local residents actively helped the devotees who came from various parts of the state and other neighbouring states.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

2nd phase to start at Sthana Peetha Taratarini under new chairman

Bhubaneswar: Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division of Odisha Chandrasekhar Kumar is the new chairman of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), a prominent temple administration body in Ganjam district. He has taken over from the outgoing RDC and former TTDB chairman Satyabrata Sahu who is now the Commerce & Transport Secretary of the State Government. It was under the guidance of the former chairman that the first phase of the stone temple was completed. This religious shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati and one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers in India.The new chairman visited the shrine and discussed the commencement of the second phase of work. Board Secretary Pramod Panda along with the other board members tabled the primary draft of the second phase of work and it was decided to finish all on-going work before the upcoming Chaitra MelaThe projects in the second phase include completion of Kalyana Mandapam, construction of huge hill-top parking space, widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities or rest houses, maintenance of eco-system, construction of a hospital and the construction of a residential school and training centre for the physically challenged.
Source: The Pioneer

Thursday, November 19, 2009

New chairman takes over charge of Taratarini Development Board

TARATARINI DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Regd. No.: GJM No. - 7177-A – 676/2002-2003
Hillpatna, Berhampur – 5, (Ganjam), Orissa
(0680) 2215168, Website: http:/taratarini.nic.in
E-Mail:
rdcbmp@ori.nic.in, hillshrine@hotmail.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press Release
Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, IAS and the new Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division, Odisha has taken over the chairmanship of the Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB), considered as one of the prominent temple administration of the State. This famous prehistoric religious hill shrine is believed to be the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati and one amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India.
As per the convention of the Board, Mr Kumar who has recently joined as the RDC, Southern Division is replacing the outgoing RDC and the Chairman of TTDB Shri Satyabrata Sahu, who has since joined as the Commerce & Transport secretary of Government of Orissa.
It is noteworthy that Shri Satyabrata Sahu’s Chairmanship was eventful as it marked the completion of the 1st phase of the magnificent stone temple at Taratarini Hill Shrine. During his tenure the Board has successfully completed the
Work of the main temple for the Twin Goddesses,
Initiated the work of widening of the 999 holy steps with rest sheds,
Widening of the roads leading to the hilltop,
Providing drinking water facility on the hill top,
Constructed the first Arial “Rope Way” of Eastern India for fastest communication of visitors and Started massive plantation in and around the hill shrine for the maintenance of eco-system.

After taking over the charge Shri Kumar visited the holy shrine and discussed the status of the 2nd phase of work, which is going to commence soon to fulfill the basic requirements of the visitors. Board secretary Shri Pramod Panda and other board members tabled the primary draft of the second phase of work and it was decided that after through consultation, the Board will shortly start the 2nd phase work and will try its best to complete the on going projects before the commencement of the forthcoming Chaitra Mela.
The TTDB members, office bearers and the temple administration while congratulating Shri Kumar expressed the hope that the Hill Shrine will become a great center of religious and tourist importance in the country under his chairmanship.
It is worth mentioning that the second phase work of the temple which will start soon includes;
Construction of a huge multipurpose complex on the hilltop, four side-temples, boundary wall and outer protection wall / river side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.
Construction of administrative office on the hilltop.
Construction of Bhog Bazaar on the hilltop.
Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.
Construction of a big public utilities complex.
Construction of waiting hall for the Rope-way on the hilltop.
Further development of Arial Rope-way.
Arrangement of space to accommodate the buildings for ATMs, Lockers, Shoe stands and other facilities.
Completion of Kalyana Mandapam.
Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.
Flood lighting arrangements at the hilltop and inside the temple premises. Lighting arrangement on the 999 holy stone steps and road leading to the Hilltop from Taratarini junction.
Further widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.
Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.
Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas.
Construction of a hospital.
Construction of a residential school and training centre for the physically challenged etc.
Regards,

R P Tripathy




Thursday, November 12, 2009

Chandrasekhar Kumar takes over as the chairman of Taratarini Development Board

BERHAMPUR: Shri Chandrasekhar Kumar, IAS and the new Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) of Southern Division has taken over the chairmanship of the Tara Tarini Development Board, considered as one of the prominent temple administration and development bodies of the State. As per the convention of the Board, Mr Kumar who has recently joined as the RDC, southern division is replacing the outgoing RDC and the Chairman of TTDB Shri Satyabrata Sahu, who has since joined as the Commerce & Transport secretary of Government of Orissa. Shri Sahu’s Chairmanship was eventful as it marked the completion of 1st phase of the magnificent stone temple at Taratarini Hill Shrine and the shrine and its peripheral areas witnessed massive development in the past few years.
The TTDB members and office bearers while congratulating Shri Kumar expressed the hope that the Hill Shrine will become a great center of religious and tourist importance in the country under his chairmanship. It is worth mentioning that the second phase of the temple, which includes construction of a massive complex for the devotees and the construction of four side-temples, boundary walls, social initiatives apart from many other small projects and plantation drive, have started recently.
Photo source: www.trekearth.com

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

TTDB wishes you on the Auspicious Occasion of Diwali



TARATARINI DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Regd. No. : GJM No. - 7177-A – 676/2002-2003
Hillpatna, Berhampur – 5, (Ganjam), Orissa, India
(0680) 2215168, Website: http:/taratarini.nic.in
--------------------------------------------------
The “Tara Tarini Development Board” takes great pleasure in wishing you on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, the festival of lights.

May this Diwali bring you the brightest sparkles of happiness and fulfillment.
May this Diwali bring joy and good health and brighten up you and your near and dear ones lives.
May this Diwali bring you the utmost in peace and prosperity.
May lights triumph over darkness.
May peace transcend the earth.
May the spirit of light illuminate the world.
May the divine blessings of Adi Shakti Maa TaraTarini be ever upon you!

Monday, September 28, 2009

TTDB wishes you on the Auspicious Occasion of Dusshera

The TaraTarini Development Board takes great pleasure in wishing you good health, prosperity, success and happiness on the divine occasion of Dusshera, the festival that symbolizes the Triumph of Good over Evil.

May the divine blessings and benedictions of
Maa TaraTarini (the Breast Shrine of Adi Shakti),
be with you always!
Let the Joy of Festivity Embrace You!

Happy Dusshera!

For more information on TaraTarini Hill Shrine please visit: www.taratarini.nic.in, taratarini.blogspot.com

Warm Wishes,
R.P.Tripathy
Media and Publicity In-charge
Tara Tarini Development Board
New Delhi

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Prince Dance Group visited the famous Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

Met Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik
Immediately after landing in Berhampur from Mumbai after winning the India’s Got Talent (IGT) award, the Prince Dance Group leader T Krishna Mohan Reddy with all his team members, visited the famous Adi Shakti Peetha of Maa Tara Tarini to seek her divine blessing on August 24. The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine, considered as the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers (Adi Shakti Peetha) of India and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years.

Paying obeisance to Maa Tara Tarini at the hill shrine, Krishna said Prince Dance Group has come to this position only for the blessing of the Adi Shakti Maa Tara Tarini and he has also given out details how he is now receiving invitations from abroad. Chairman of ‘Tara Tarini Development Board’ and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Orissa, Shri Satyabrat Sahu, organized the Darshan and Prasad Seva at the holy shrine. All other members of the Development Board were present on the occasion. Pradip Panigrahi, MLA Gopalpur and other local leaders were also accompanied the Group.
Krishna expressed gratefulness to the State Administration, which has come as a great help to his group. He said that now they have decided to run a professional dance Academy with the support of the state Government at Berhampur.
Life of Krishna and his colleagues have changed after winning the top most award of IGT show. Now all of them are in high spirits. Telephone calls from foreign countries are pouring in.
He added, thanks to the success in India’s Got Talent Show, invitations are almost raining. After the successful debut in a national forum, Krishna Mohan Reddy on 23 August got a call from US. The organizers from US have invited the Prince Dance Group to perform Dasavatar.
On 24 August another event management group from US has also invited them to perform the typical dance. Call from Singapore came to Krishna to visit the country for performance.
Orissa Chief Minister is taking personal interest and making all arrangements to make them happy, admitted Krishna. “I have never seen an ever loving Naveen Patnaik, who gave me a foreign chocolate, which I have never tasted in life”. CM is taking all care and we are indebted to him for his kindness Krishna said. Later reaching Bhubaneswar, Prince Dance Group met the Chief Minister. Mr. Naveen Patnaik patted on their back and organized their visit to Lord Jagannath Puri. And the Chief Minister promised them all out support, said Krishna.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Afforestation work started near Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

RDC Southern Orissa and ‘TTDB’ Chairman Shri Satyabrat Sahu inaugurating the afforestation programme near Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, Ganjam, Orissa



Friday, July 24, 2009

Orissa Govt. to develop Tara Tarini Hill Shrine & 35 other tourist destinations

The Orissa government plans to develop 36 tourist destinations in the state under various schemes. While 31 destinations are proposed to be refurbished under Destination Development Scheme (DDS) and Circuit Development Scheme (CDS), the remaining five locations will be developed under Mega Circuit Scheme.
The destinations like the famous Sthana Peeth of Adi Shakti- Maa Tara Tarini Hill Shrine, Sambalpur-Hirakud, Dhama, Pradhanpata, Khandadhar,Vedavyas, Pitamahal, Khinda, Deogarh, Debrigarh, Barabati, Paramhansa, Nemala, Churchika, Dhabaleswar, Rambha, Bhanjanagar are proposed to be developed under Destination Development Scheme (DDS) and Circuit Development Scheme (CDS).
Similarly, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Koraput and Raygada will be developed under Mega Circuit Scheme (MSC). The state government has requested the Centre for development of these destinations, Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said.
He said the state government plans to develop the Samuka Sea-beach project and an aquarium at Puri. A maritime museum and an aquarium will be opened at the state museum. A tourism plaza will come up at Bhubaneswar and the government also plans to beautify the Ansupa Lake.
Courtesy: Business Standard

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Taratarini draws huge devotees


Tathya.in
Berhampur:9/June/2009
The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine has emerged as one of the most visited religious destination in Orissa. Thanks to the recent initiatives of the Taratarini Development Board(TTDB), headed by Satyabrat Sahu, RDC Southern Division, visitors list is likely to cross 25 lakh mark by the year end, said an official. Mr. Sahu, a devotee of Adi Shakti is taking lot of interest in developing the shrine into a major tourist centre. The Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers (Adi Shakti Peetha) of India and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years, is being visited by huge number of devotees. According to stats of TTDB, this year in the auspicious month of Chaitra (March / April 2009) more than 17 lakh devotees visited the Shrine. A good number of NRIs and foreigners also visited the Shrine this year. This year, particularly in the four auspicious Tuesdays around 12 lakh devotees have visited the Shrine. Besides some 5 lakh devotees have visited the Hill Shrine on other days of the month. Amongst them around 13 lakh visitors were from Orissa, while a staggering 4 lakh visitors were from other states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and other States. Taking account to the rapid growth of visitors, TTDB has started the overall development of the Taratarini Hill Shrine and its nearby areas. Over this period of time the Board has successfully completed the work of a new temple on the Hilltop for the Twin Goddesses. Architecture is marvelous and it is presenting an unique sight for the both domestic and foreigner devotees. TTDB has successfully initiated the work of widening of the 999 sacred stone steps with rest sheds, widening of the roads leading to the Hilltop. And providing drinking water facility on the hill top and constructing the first Arial “Rope Way” of Eastern India to a religious shrine, has added to the facility. More and more facilities are being added keeping in view the growing traffic to the shrine, said R P Tripathy, Publicity Chief of TTDB.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

TaraTarini Hill Shrine among the most visited destinations of India

The famous Taratarini Hill Shrine, considered as the Sthana Peetha (Breast Shrine) of Mata Sati, is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti centers (Adi Shakti Peetha) of India and an important prehistoric religious center which bears an uninterrupted history of 6000 years. Owing to the recent initiatives of the Development Board the Hill Shrine has emerged as one of the most visited religious destinations of the State.
According to the data available from the ‘Taratarini Development Board’, this year in the auspicious month of Chaitra (March / April 2009) more than 17 lakh devotees visited the Shrine within a month from various parts of India for a Darshan of the Twin Goddesses. A good number of NRIs and foreigners also visited the Shrine this year. It is noteworthy, that the four holy Tuesdays of the month of Chaitra are famous for Shakti Puja in this Breast Shrine of Mata Sati. So, every year lakhs of devotees visit this shrine on these days.
It is worth mentioning that this year, particularly in the four auspicious Tuesdays around 12 lakh devotees have visited the Shrine. Besides this some 5 lakh devotees have visited the Hill Shrine on other days of the month. Amongst them around 13 lakh visitors were from Orissa, while a staggering 4 lakh visitors were from other states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and other States. However, this year the number of visitors from overseas has gone down compared to previous years. This time around close to a thousand foreigners visited the Shrine during this month.
The figures available from various sources reveal that this year’s gathering has surpassed the records of earlier years and with more than 17 lakh visitors in just one month this holy Shrine has emerged as one of the most visited religious destinations of the State.
The Statistics:
First Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 1,90,000
Second Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 3,78,000
Third Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 4,85,000
Fourth Tuesday of Chaitra total number of devotees visited, about: 1,55,000
In other days of Chaitra, total number of devotees visited, around 5,00,000
------------------------------------
Total 17,08,000
Apart from this month, in the rest 11 months around 8,00,000 visitors are expected to visit this holy Shrine. So, the Tara Tarini development Board has anticipated that, this year the figure of the total number of visitors will go up to 25 lakhs.
The Statistics of Last 5 Years:
1. 2004---12,00,000
2. 2005---13,78,000
3. 2006---15,07,000
4. 2007---16,70,000
5. 2008---19,40,000
Sensing this rapid growth of visitors, the state administration in cooperation with the Ganjam district administration had created ‘Taratarini Development Board’ incorporating some of the eminent persons of Orissa and mainly from Southern Orissa, under the Chairmanship of the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Southern Orissa in 2002/03. Since then the Taratarini Development Board (TTDB) has started the overall development of the Taratarini Hill Shrine and its nearby areas. Over this period of time the Board has successfully completed the work of a stone temple on the Hilltop for the Twin Goddesses and has initiated the work of widening of the 999 sacred stone steps with rest sheds, widening of the roads leading to the Hilltop and providing drinking water facility on the hill top and has constructed the first Arial “Rope Way” of Eastern India for fastest communication of visitors.
To keep pace with ever growing number of visitors, the Board has approved a number of new projects. Some of the prioritized list of works proposed by the TTDB to be taken up in the first phase, on the hilltop of the Taratarini Hill Shrine for the convenience of devotees and tourists are…………
q Construction of administrative office on the hilltop.
q Construction of Bhog Bazaar on the hilltop.
q Construction of Mundan shade on the hilltop.
q Construction of a hospital.
q Construction of public utilities
q Construction of waiting hall for the Rope-way on the hilltop.
q Arrangement of space to accommodate the buildings for ATMs, Lockers, Shoe stands and other facilities.
q Further development of Arial Rope-way.
q Construction of Kalyana Mandapam.
q Construction of outer protection wall and River side retaining wall to check land sliding and soil erosion at the hilltop.
q Construction of huge parking space at the hilltop.
q Lighting arrangements at the hilltop and inside the Temple premises.
q Lighting arrangement on the 999 holy stone steps and road leading to the Hilltop from Taratarini junction.
q Widening of stone steps and arrangement of public utilities/ rest houses.
q Further widening of the existing road to the Hilltop.
q Maintenance of eco-system in and around the sacred hill by huge plantation in its nearby areas.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Garvamuda installed at Tara Tarini temple


Berhampur: The Garvamuda installation ceremony at the famous Shakti Shrine of Taratarini in Ganjam district Orissa was held on April 10 2009.
The construction of the new stone temple at Taratarini hill top along the Mythologically famous river Rushikulya near Purushottampur is continuing. The Taratarini Temple Development Council headed by the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Division) has been entrusted with the construction of the new temple. On the auspicious day of Teela Saptami, the installation of Garvamuda was held at the hill top temple. Height of the Garvamuda is 16 feet, width 15 and length is 15 feet. Gold, Silver, Copper, ornaments, Rice, vegetables, fruits along with other items has been placed in the Garvamuda following a Yajna.
Urban Development Secretary Govt. of Orissa, Arun Panda, Chairman of Taratarini Temple Development Board and RDC (South Orissa) Satyabrata Sahu, Deputy Chairman and Ganjam District Collector VK Pandyan, Secretary Pramod Panda and hundreds of other eminent members of the Development Board and thousands of eminent persons of the State along with sculptor Padma Bhusan Raghunath Mohapatra were present during the ceremony.
The Pioneer, This news is also available in http://www.hindu.com/

Monday, April 20, 2009

17 lakh visitors throng Taratarini Hill Shrine during month of Chaitra

Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Berhampur: On the auspicious occasion of the fourth and last Tuesday of the holy month of Chaitra at the Taratarini Hill Shrine, near Berhampur city, Orissa, more than 2 lakh devotees visited the Hill Shrine from various parts of India and abroad for a Darshan of the Twin Goddesses.
It is believed that the month of Chaitra and the four Tuesdays of this month are famous for Shakti Puja in this Breast Shrine of Mata Sati. So, every year lakhs of devotees visit this shrine on these days. It is worth mentioning that this year during the holy month of Chaitra and particularly in the four famous Tuesdays around 12 lakh and on other days around 5 lakh devotees have visited the hill shrine. This year the number of visitors to the Shrine till the last Tuesday has surpassed the records of previous years with 17 lakh visitors so far.
It is noteworthy that the famous and the holiest Taratarini Hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites of mother goddess and amongst the 4 major ancient Shakti centers in India. Some of the great religious texts like the Shiva Purana, the Kalika Purana, the Devi Bhagabat (a contemporary text of the Mahabharata) 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.
This famous Hill Shrine is not only famous for its Shakti worship but also it is considered as a seat of Panch Devata Upashana or the worship of five types of believe in Hindu religion like the Vaishnava, the Saiva, the Sakta, the Ganapatya and the Soura. Different from other Shakti shrines, here Shakti is not the deity of fury but the deity of love and compassion. So, here devotees believe that not by giving offerings to the deity but with pure devotion and bhakti one can get the blessings of the mother goddesses.According to the traditions the main doors of the sanctum sanatorium of the temple were thrown open at midnight on Monday. According to the needs of the visitors and for hassle free Darshan, this time the Temple administration and the ‘Tara Tarini Development Board’ made wide ranging arrangements. The chairman of the Shrine Board and the Revenue Divisional Commissioner of South Orissa, other officials of the board and officials of the district administration were present to oversee the proceedings. The fair on the last Tuesday passed of peacefully and with this, the Chaitra festival of the hill shrine came to an end.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

5 lakh devotees throng Taratarini





Berhampur: 31/March/2009
More than 5 lakh devotees thronged to the Maa Taratarini hill shrine on the auspicious occasion of the Third Tuesday of the holy Chaitra Festival and Navaratra. On 31 March there was huge crowd of devotees at the Sthana Peetha of Mata Sati, near Berhampur city, Orissa.
Maa Taratarini Hill Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of Mother Goddess and is one amongst the four major ancient Shakti Pithas in India. The Mythological Texts recognize four major Shakti Peethas (centers) like Bimala, Tara Tarini (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.
All arrangements were in place, thanks to the initiative of the Taratarini Development Board (TTDB). Satybrat Sahu, Chairman of TTDB & RDC Southern Division and other officials are overseeing the arrangements.
The Temple administration and TTDB made wide ranging arrangements like security, transport, Prasad, drinking water, medical services for all the devotees. And arrangement of barbers for tonsure (Mundan)on this occasion has been in place.
The fair on the Third Tuesday has passed of peacefully.
It is believed that the month of Chaitra and the four Tuesdays of this month are auspicious for Shakti Puja in this Breast Shrine of Mata Sati. So, every year lakhs of devotees visit this shrine on these days.
But this year the number of devotes visited this holy Shrine till today has surpassed all the records of earlier years. Owing to the massive development works undertaken by the 'TTDB on the lines of ‘Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine’ and good arrangements for the convenience of devotees, around 15 lakh devotes have already visited this Shrine in this auspicious month.
A massive temple is being built up by Padma Bhusan Raghunath Mahapatra and soon it will be completed, said TTDB sources. Mr.Sahu, RDC is taking interest for early completion of the complex and once it is ready, this will attract huge number of devotees.