Tarapith Temple

The Tarapith Temple in Birbhum district of West Bengal is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Tara, a fierce form of the goddess Durga. It is considered one of the most important Shakta pilgrimage sites and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

The temple is particularly associated with the 18th-century saint Bamakhepa (the 'mad saint of Tarapith'), who is said to have performed intense spiritual practices (sadhana) in the cremation ground (smashan) adjacent to the temple. The cremation ground is considered particularly sacred for Tantric practices.

The presiding deity is a unique stone image of the goddess Tara in a suckling posture, nursing the infant Shiva. The image is adorned with silver ornaments and dressed in a red sari.