Maa Tara Tarini
The Tara Tarini Shrine is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers of the Mother Goddess and is one of the four major ancient Shakti Peethas in India. This oldest and famous Adi Shakti Pith is situated on the holy Taratirini hill (Purnagiri), at a distance of 30 km from Berhampur, in the state of Odisha, India. It is believed to be the Breast Shrine (Sthana Pith) of Adi Shakti and originated from the limbs of the Corpse of Mata Sati.
The mythological texts recognize four major Shakti Peethas, i.e. (Stana Khanda) near Berhampur, Vimala (Pada Khanda) inside the Jagannath Temple (Puri), Kamakhya (Yoni khanda) near Guwahati and Dakshina Kali, Kalighat (Mukha khanda) in Kolkata. Apart from these, there are 52 other sacred Shakti Peethas, which originated from the limbs of the corpse of Mata Sati in the Satya Yuga, present in Indian sub-continent.
Explaining the importance of this Pith ‘Brihat Samhita’ described it as the most prominent Tara Pith and also gives the geographical location of this shrine. In Sanskrit:
- Rushikulya Tatae Devi,
- Tarakashya Mahagiri,
- Tashya Srunga Stitha Tara,
- Vasishta rajitapara.
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