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There are innumerable places in India which are known for their temples and religious sites. Dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses, these beautiful temples and religious sites are unique in their own ways and certainly possess something which distinguishes them from other temples.
One such place in the state of West Bengal is Tarapith which is immensely popular for its tantric temples. This temple town is also revered as a significant pilgrimage site for Bengali Hindus. So, how about taking a tour of Tarapith and exploring its tantric temples?
If you always get fascinated by mysterious places with mysterious temples, then you must plan a trip from Kolkata to Tarapith this season.
Best Time To Visit Tarapith
Tarapith experiences a wet and dry climate and hence, the summers are hot here. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid visiting Tarapith during the summer season. If you are looking to enjoy the beauty of its temples and surroundings comfortably, then the best time is from September until the end of April.
How To Reach Tarapith From Kolkata
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By Air: The nearest airport to Tarapith is at Kolkata only at a distance of around 220 km.
By Rail: You can catch a direct train to Ram Hut Station which is located at an approximate distance of 6 km from Tarapith. Once you have reached the station, you can hire a cab to Tarapith.
By Road: Tarapith is well connected to nearby towns by road. It is located at a distance of around 220 km from Kolkata.
Route 1: Kolkata - Bardhaman - Santiniketan - Tarapith
Route 2: Kolkata - Bhagra - Burwan - Tarapith
Route 1 is preferable as it will take 1 hour lesser in comparison to route 2. You can reach your destination within 5 hours through route 1. While on your way to Tarapith, you can explore the following places as well.
Santiniketan
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Santiniketan is located at a distance of around 160 km from Kolkata and 60 km from Tarapith in the Birbhum district of West Bengal. It is famous amongst locals for Santiniketan Garden and the Deer Park which is located in the vicinity of the garden.
Several social and cultural events are organised throughout the year which include Poush Mela, Magh Mela, Basanta Utsav and Nandan Mela. Santiniketan will be an ideal place to take a break at as you can relax amid the beautiful lanes of its gardens and parks.
Bardhaman
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Bardhaman is another en route destination which is a must-visit for every traveller on their way to Tarapith or nearby places from Kolkata. Also known as the Royal Heritage City of West Bengal, this beautiful place is believed to be thousands of years old and has been in existence since the Stone Age. So, how about exploring the ancient beauty of this ancient city?
From temples to parks, there is a lot to explore in Bardhaman. The major places which you should not miss visiting include 108 Shiva Temple, Hawa Mahal, Curzon Gate and Damodar River Beach.
Final Destination – Tarapith
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Tarapith is located in the Birbhum district of West Bengal on the banks of Dwarka river and is immensely popular for its tantric temples. This temple town is surrounded by the beauty of paddy fields and farmlands and hence, it provides its visitors with the setting of a natural environment. The town is famous for worshipping Goddess Tara, the tantric form of Goddess Parvati, who lives in the cremation grounds.
Today, Tarapith is an important religious site where thousands of Hindu devotees come to perform rituals and worship Goddess Tara. Once you have stepped on the land of this temple town, you must visit the following places in order to explore the history of the town and learn a little bit about its culture and tradition.
Tarapith Temple
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Tarapith Temple is the most visited places in Tarapith as it is dedicated to Goddess Tara. You can find several devotees performing tantric rituals within the temple. It is built of red brick with several arches ending with spires. If you are looking to learn about the tantras and its association with the Hindu Goddess Tara, then Tarapith Temple is the place where you should be on your visit to this temple town.
Bamakhepa Temple
Bamakhepa Temple is dedicated to Sadhak Bamekhepa, also known as Mad Saint, who used to live in the cremation grounds and performed tantric rituals in the Tarapith Temple. Due to his knowledge of tantric worship and yoga, he was considered as the spiritual head of Tarapith. Bamakhepa Temple is located in the vicinity of Tarapith Temple and is visited by hundreds of devotees every month.
Maha Samshana
Maha Samshana refers to the cremation ground, which is known to be the abode of Goddess Tara. It is also the place where Saint Bamakhepa lived his life. Being a cremation ground, this is not visited by several tourists. However, if you are curious to know about the history of the town and the life of Bamakhepa, then you can visit Maha Samshana and explore its corners.
Mundamalini Temple
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Another significant temple in Tarapith is Mundamalini Temple which is dedicated to Goddess Mundamalini, who is known to be a form of Goddess Kali and wears a necklace of skulls. It is visited by numerous devotees of Goddess Kali every day. You must visit this temple if you are in the town of Tarapith.
