HOW TO GET FROM
Kolkata to Tarapith
BY TRAIN, BUS, TAXI OR CAR
There is/are 1 direct bus(es) from Kolkata to Tarapith. This/These bus(es) is/are Sbstc-kolkata - Tarapith - Via - Suri - 12:00, etc. The minimum time taken by a bus from Kolkata is 6h 30m. The cheapest way to reach from Kolkata to Tarapith is bus to Tarapith and takes 6h 30m. The fastest way to reach from Kolkata to Tarapith is bus to Tarapith and takes 6h 30m. The recommended way to reach from Kolkata to Tarapith is bus to Tarapith and takes 6h 30m.
How to reach Tarapith by road
Tarapith is connected to the neighbouring cities by a well-laid network of roads. State and private buses connect Tarapith of other cities.
How to reach Tarapith by train
Rampur Hat railway station is the nearest to Tarapith. Located some 6 km away from the city, taxis are easily available from Rampur Hat to Tarapith at around INR 150. Rampur Hat is a local station and direct trains are only available from key metros, it is well connected to Howrah and Sealdah.
Local transport in Tarapith
Tarapith is a small city, tourists can walk around or take a cycle rickshaw
Tarapith is famous for the temple of Tara Ma and Sadhan Pith of Sadhak Bamakhyapa. Tarapith, a holy religious place, is situated in a village Tarapur under Rampurhat Police Station of Rampurhat Sub-Division in the district of Birbhum. It so called because the eyeball (Tara) of Sati fell here. Others say that Tarapith is not a pith but the place owes its sanctity to the fact that the Sage Basistha here worshipped the Goddess Sati in the form of Tara. The Goddess Tara is a form of Kali with two hands, garlanded with snakes and adorned in sacred threads. But the Temple is dedicated to the destructive aspect of Shiva, which takes the form of Kali. She requires sacrifice daily to satisfy her blood lust so every morning goats are sacrifices on the altar of the Temple.
The deity of Tara is enshrined inside the temple. It is a special temple for more reasons than one. The nearby cremation ground makes this a quite rare temple, especially considering its surroundings. The worship here includes blood offerings. The strong rituals, the hymns sung here also contribute to make this temple a very special one. The temple base is made up of red brick. There are two Tara images in the sanctum. The stone image of Tara is camouflaged by a metal image which the devotees see.
Tarapith Temple
(Nearest City & Station - Rampurhat) Ma Tara Temple is the main attraction of the temple town of Tarapith, which is located towards the town centre. Ma Tara Temple, in 1225, is a prominent tantric temple related to Shaktism sect of Hinduism. The main temple in the town is a small temple built of marble and terra cotta, it has a curved roof called the 'dochala'. All the giant doors falling in the way to the main shrine have carved and are made up of engraved metal with extremely intricate designs of various religious symbols carved on them.
Tarapith Maha Sasan
Tarapith Maha Sasan is an auspicious place, lies very near to the Tarapith Temple. It is pretty well known for the Tantric rituals performed here. Goddess (Goddess Tara) prevails here in the form of a twinkling of light, like a "Star" (meaning of Tara in Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali and other languages), a fearsome Tantric aspect of Adhya-Shakti . Here the Third Eye of "Sati" had fallen and it is recognized as one of the 52 Peeths (where pieces of dead body of "Sati" had fallen) of "Sati", a place reflecting lots of supernatural and extraordinary powers. If we look back through the pages of history, we can find that Maharishi Vashistha (Guru of Ramachandra), performed rituals or rites over here in order to attain siddha ("perfection" in viewing the deity and obtain her blessing) from Goddess Tara and to get her blessing. In the later stage, the worship of Goddess Tara began with Tantric rituals following the order of Panchamakar Vidhi or Sadhana . Worshipping with five elements, namely, 1. Madya (Wine) 2. Goddessns (Meat) 3. Matsya (Fish) 4. Hasta Mudra (Parched Grain) 5. Maithuna (Sexual intercourse) is called a Panchamakar Sadhana. Worship of some Gods in Hinduism, basically those who have Taamsi or Tamo (destructive) qualities require this method of worship, to get rid of desire from within human beings. It is also said that it is pretty easy to attain accomplishment by worshiping here. Rituals of Tantrism practiced by famous 'Matri Sadhak' Shri Shri Bama Khepa aliasly renowned as Bam Dev.
Nalhateshwari Temple
(Nalhati & Nearest Tarapith, Nearest Station - Nalhati) The throat of Sati or "Nala" fell here as known by tradition. This is a beautiful place with fine vicinity and plateaus all around it where Maa Nalateswri resides and has resemblance with Kamakha and Kalighat pithas. The goddess of this place is known as Maa Nalateswri who is also praised as Maa or "Bhagobidhata-Nalateswri" or Devi Parvati or Kalika. According to the localities, in 252th Bengali year or "Bongapto", "Kamdev" (the Hindu god of love and desire) who had dreamt about its existence discovered the larynx of maa sati at this Nalahati forest.
Mallarpur Shiv temples
This temple is located about 10 kilometres from Tarapith and is considered to be one of the oldest temples in the Birbhum. There are around 21 temples and a tiny pond surrounding this temple which makes it aesthetically beautiful. This temple was built by the Malla rulers some 800 years ago. This temple is totally dedicated to Lord Shiva and it is said that in ancient times the temple was surrounded with dense forest. Especially during the festival of Shivratri, devotees of Lord Shiva visit this temple to seek holy blessings. A magnificent fair is also hosted in the adjoining Nimtala area on this day.
Mallarpur Shiv Temple
Mallarpur Shiv Temple is one of the oldest mandir in the Birbhum District. It is located in Mallarpur village 2 km away from Mallarpur Rail Station. In ancient times, the temple was surrounded with dense forest. Later on the temple was built in 1192 by devoted king Malla Raj. The main temple is surrounded with 21 temples and a holy pond situated in the eastern side of the temple. It is near about 10-12 km away from Tarapith.
Bamakhyapa Temple (Tarapith)
Sri Sri Bamdev Smriti, a pink colour temple dedicated to Saint Bamakhyapa. Often called as the mad saint, Bamakhyapa was a famous tantrik known for his divine craziness. There is a tomb and samadhi right outside of the temple where people offer prayers and offerings in the name of the saint.
Lakshmi Temple
(Tarapith)
This temple of Goddess Lakshmi is said to have been built 500 years ago by a Hindu saint called Saint Kamdev Bramacharya. He built the idol of the Goddess himself with neem tree wood and Ganga soil. The temple is a very revered spot and is visited by many devotees. It is about 12 km from Tarapith.
Birchandrapur Temple
Birchandrapur Temple - Birchandrapur, 10 k.m. away from the Tarapith, is famous for the birth place of Nityananda Swami, co founder of Baisnav religion with Shri Chityanyadev. Birchandrapur, named after Birbhadra Goswami - the son of Nityananda, is a part of the village Ekachakra which according to mythology has been inhabited by the Pandavas. 'Akali mandir' is situated at Akalipur, near Bhadrapur, 25 k.m. from Rampurhat and famous for its unique hexagonal structure and had a history of more than 300 years (it is associated with Maharaja Nandakumar). According to the lore the ancestral house of Maharaja Nandakumar is still there at Akalipur. At present there is a Vaishnab religious center (ISCON TEMPLE) with some old temples in Birchandrapur.
Bakreswar Temple
Bakreswar is famous for its Bakreswar temple which is dedicated to Lord Bakranath (Shiva) and Goddess Kali. The temple is believed to be erected at the spot where the forehead and brows of Goddess Sati fell. The main temple of Bakreswar is surrounded by many small shrines which are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
How To Reach
By Air: The nearest airport Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose airport is at Kolkata. One can avail taxi or bus services from airport to reach Tarapith.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rampurhat. Taxi services from railway station to Tatapith are available. Rampurhat is well linked with Howrah and Sealdah.
By Road: The state owned and private buses connect Tarapith with Esplanade / Dharamtala bus stand of Kolkata and with the neighboring cities of the state.
