Tarapith: The Sacred Seat of Goddess Tara

• Tarapith is a revered Hindu pilgrimage site located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, India, dedicated to Goddess Tara—a fierce yet compassionate form of the Divine Mother in the Tantric tradition of Hinduism. At the heart of this spiritual town lies the Tarapith Temple, which enshrines a powerful idol of Tara depicted as both fearsome and nurturing. Devotees believe she bestows protection, healing, and spiritual liberation.
• According to legend, Tarapith is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas—sacred places where parts of the goddess Sati's body are said to have fallen. Specifically, her eyeball (or tara) is believed to have landed here, giving the site its name. Deeply rooted in Tantric worship, Tarapith has long drawn sadhus, ascetics, and spiritual seekers who come in search of divine power and mystical experience.
• Adjacent to the temple lies the mahasmashana—a cremation ground central to Tantric practice. It symbolizes the transcendence of life and death and serves as a spiritual gateway for higher realization. This site is also renowned as the place where the revered saint Bamakhepa, a devout follower of Tara, meditated and attained spiritual powers.
• The atmosphere of Tarapith is a rare confluence of intense devotion, mysticism, and esoteric energy, making it one of the most significant centers of Shakti worship in eastern India.