Stories
Tarapith Celebrates Maha Ashtami with Goddess Tara Worshipped as Durga
- •Goddess Tara was worshipped in the form of supreme divine power Durga on Maha Ashtami at Tarapith temple.
- •Maintaining ancient tradition, no separate idol is kept inside the sanctum, and all goddesses are embodied within Goddess Tara.
- •A grand Kumari Puja was organized in the morning, drawing countless devotees to the temple premises.
- •A young girl was adorned in a brand-new Banarasi sari and traditional gold ornaments for the living Kumari worship.
- •The sacred rituals included a holy fire ceremony, traditional sandalwood motifs, and chanting amidst a deeply devotional atmosphere.
Key Questions Answered
According to prevailing tradition and temple customs, there is no custom of worshipping a separate idol inside the Tarapith sanctum sanctorum, so Goddess Tara is worshipped in the supreme divine form of Goddess Durga during the autumn festival days.
On the morning of Maha Ashtami, a young girl is dressed in a brand-new Banarasi sari and traditional gold ornaments, and white and red sandalwood motifs are drawn on her forehead. Under the supervision of priests, homa-yajna and worship are conducted as devotees seek her blessings.
According to temple committee secretary Pulak Chatterjee, no special rituals take place on Saptami, and the puja officially begins with the filling of the ghata (ghatbhara) on Maha Ashtami, continuing through Dashami under Durga Puja rules.
