Birbhum, Raju Mal: You will be amazed to know how Chandipur village transformed into Tarapith. The current Tara Ma temple in Tarapith, which we see today, is approximately 200 years old, but Tarapith’s history dates back over 1,500 years.
Samirnath Aghori, a devotee of Tara Ma, shared the fascinating tale of how Chandipur village became Tarapith. According to him, the story begins with Joy Dutta Sadagar, a resident of Ratnagore, Birbhum.
About 800 years ago, Joy Dutta Sadagar was a merchant who had earned immense wealth through his business. While returning home by boat, he suffered a devastating loss when his beloved son passed away. To preserve the body, he instructed his boatmen to apply ghee (clarified butter) to prevent decay.
At dusk, they halted near a vast jungle to rest, and that place was called Chandipur. That night, Joy Dutta was unable to sleep due to grief. Suddenly, a beautiful young girl appeared near the boat, radiating an aura of light.
The girl, who was Tara Ma, asked Joy Dutta what he was carrying in his boat. Overwhelmed with grief, Joy Dutta replied, “Only ashes.” The girl vanished, saying, “Very well.” Later, Joy Dutta discovered that his entire cargo had transformed into ashes.
The next morning, his servants began cooking, and while washing fish near a nearby pond, they miraculously revived. The boatmen informed Joy Dutta about this astonishing event.
Remembering the mysterious girl, Joy Dutta implored, “Mother, forgive me and reveal yourself.” That night, Tara Ma reappeared in his dream, saying, “I will revive your son.” She instructed him to find a white Shimul tree in the jungle, beneath which lay a stone idol.
Joy Dutta discovered the idol, accompanied by a Chandrachuda Shiva idol, and constructed a temple near the Jeevit Kund (Life Pond). He entrusted a Brahmin from Mohala village with the daily puja responsibilities.
The origin of Tarapith’s name lies in mythology. During the Samudra Manthan, Lord Shiva consumed the deadly poison, becoming Neelkantha. As his life force waned, the gods sought refuge in Goddess Tara, who nurtured Shiva as her own child, feeding him nectar from her breast.
Thus, Shiva was revived, and Tara earned the epithet Tarini, meaning ‘the one who saves’ or ‘the one who ferries across.’ The name ‘Tarapith’ is derived from ‘Tarani ‘another name for Tara.
Tarapith stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and the mystical bond between humans and the divine. This revered site continues to attract devotees seeking solace, healing, and spiritual enlightenment.
