The Sacred Sisters of the Hills: The Story of Tara Tarini Shakti Peetha
Discover the mystical legend, divine energy, and powerful history of Tara Tarini Temple in Odisha—one of India’s 51 ancient Shakti Peethas.
Far away in the green hills of Odisha,
where the Rushikulya River flows like liquid silver under the sky, there
stands a temple on the Kumari Hills that has whispered the secrets of divine
power for thousands of years. This is no ordinary temple. It is the Taratarini
Shakti Peetha—a place where the breasts of Sati fell, turning the
land into a source of eternal nourishment and motherly love.
But how did this sacred place come to
be? Why do millions still climb the 999 steps in faith? Come, dear reader, let me
take you on a timeless journey into the heart of divine feminine energy.
The Cosmic Tragedy That Shaped the Shakti Peethas
Long ago, when the universe still
echoed with the chants of gods and demons, a fierce love blossomed between Lord
Shiva, the ascetic of Kailash, and Sati, the daughter of King
Daksha. She was fire itself—born from cosmic energy, wild and untamed, and
her heart beat only for Shiva.
But her father disapproved. When Daksha
conducted a grand Yagna and purposefully insulted Shiva by not inviting
him, Sati, unable to bear the shame, jumped into the sacrificial fire, ending
her mortal form.
What followed was chaos.
Shiva, mad with grief, placed Sati’s
charred body on his shoulder and wandered the universe. His sorrow turned into
the cosmic dance of destruction—Tandava. The gods trembled. The balance
of creation was collapsing.
It was then that Lord Vishnu
stepped in. With his Sudarshana Chakra, he began cutting Sati’s body
into pieces. Wherever a piece fell, it became a Shakti Peetha—a holy
site pulsating with the energy of the Divine Mother.
And so it was that Sati’s breasts—symbols
of motherhood, nourishment, and protection—fell upon the serene Kumari Hills
of Odisha. And there, the twin goddesses—Tara and Tarini—emerged
in eternal power.
"Where her body fell, life
bloomed. Where her soul wept, the earth became holy."
The Rise of the Divine Sisters – Tara and Tarini
Years passed. The forested hills became
sacred. Locals began feeling a mysterious feminine energy—protective,
strong, nurturing.
Soon, two lion statues appeared
beside them—guardians of power. A shrine was built, and the twin deities came
to be known as Goddess Tara and Goddess Tarini.
Tara, the compassionate one, calmed the
restless. Tarini, the fierce protector, vanquished evil. Together, they became
the embodiment of Shakti.
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Devotion That Touches the Sky
Even today, devotees climb 999 steps
to reach the temple. Some come barefoot. Some carry their children. Some shave
their heads in gratitude, offering the first hair of their newborns to the
goddesses.
This ritual, known as ‘Mundan’,
is believed to invite blessings, protection, and good fortune.
During Chaitra month
(March–April), the hills come alive with the grand Chaitra Mela.
Thousands sing, dance, cry, and pray as they make their way to the temple. The
air smells of incense and flowers. The goddesses are adorned in red and gold,
glowing with divine grace.
A gentle breeze from the Rushikulya
River below whispers ancient mantras, and one feels… peace.
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A Temple in the Sky
The temple, built in Kalinga
architecture, sits like a crown atop the hill. You can reach it by climbing
the steps, or take the ropeway, which offers a breathtaking view of green
valleys and the Rushikulya River winding like a silver snake below.
Inside, the goddesses are simple stone
idols, but their aura is immense. They are bathed daily, adorned with silver,
gold, silk sarees, and sindoor.
There are no flashy lights. No grand
structures. Just faith, air, and silence—and that is enough.
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A Temple Older Than Time
Did you know this is one of the
oldest temples of India?
Historical records go back to the 2nd
century BCE. The temple was once a major center of Tantric worship,
where ancient sages, Buddhist monks, and yoginis practiced powerful mantras and
rituals to awaken Shakti.
Over time, it evolved into a Hindu
Shakti Peetha, but its roots in Vajrayana Buddhism and Tantra remain
strong.
The power of Tara Tarini lies not just
in worship, but in awakening the goddess within.
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Why You Must Visit Tara Tarini
If you are:
- Seeking
divine blessings for your children or family
- Fighting
inner demons or spiritual emptiness
- Looking
to explore ancient mysticism
- Or simply wishing for peace in your heart…
Then Tara Tarini calls you.
She is the mother, the warrior, the comforter, the
liberator.
Her eyes do not judge. Her hands do not punish. She listens.
She heals.
Getting There
- Nearest
City: Berhampur (32 km)
- By
Road: Well connected by buses and taxis
- By
Rail: Get down at Berhampur Railway Station
- By
Air: Nearest airport is Bhubaneswar (174 km)
- Ropeway
and motor road available to reach the top
Final Thoughts: Let the Goddess Speak to You
When you reach the top of Kumari Hills, after the
wind has kissed your skin and the river glistened beneath your feet, look into
the eyes of Tara and Tarini.
Don’t ask. Don’t pray. Just listen.
You may not hear a voice, but you’ll feel a stir within—the
motherly embrace of a goddess who has watched over seekers for millennia
“I have been here before you were born.
I will be here long after.
I am in your strength, your sorrow, your hope, your fire.
I am the goddess… and I live in you.”
“I am not just in the stone.
I am in your courage, your kindness, your tears, and your healing.
I am Shakti. And I live within you.”
As you descend the steps or glide down in the ropeway, you
carry something new—a blessing that only a true Shakti Peetha can offer.
Ready to Explore More?
Tara Tarini is just one of the 51 Shakti
Peethas scattered across India and beyond—each with its own legend, power,
and purpose.
👉 Click here to explore the complete list and stories of the51 Shakti Peethas.
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