Introduction
Located in the district of Birbhum in West Bengal the temple of Tarapith is famous for being one of the 51 Shakti Piths of Hindu belief. The third eye of Devi Sati, fell at Tarapith. The significance of Devi Tara holds weightage both in Hinduism and in Buddhism. Her history is associated with the legends of sage Vasistha and king Balbir Sen. Devi Tara is worshipped in Buddhism as Bodhisattva, in the form of Avalokiteshvara's tear from his eyes as Goddess of Wisdom in spiritual understanding and enlightenment. Also Devi Tara is associated with Tantric traditions, wish fulfilling Devi. She is second of the ten Mahavidyas. Her origin is widely known from Rudyamala, from Atharvaveda. Hindu goddess Kali and Tara are similar in appearance. Tantric scriptures that describe the worship of devi Tara are:
Taratantra, Brahmayalaya, Rudrayamala, Niltantra, Nilsarasvatitantra, Devi Bhagavata Purana and in the 61", 79th and 80th chapter of Kalika Purana. The literary works of Ramprasad Sen and modern era's saint Sadhak Bamakhepa are associated with the magical events by Devi Tara. Devi Tara is considered the manifestation of Adi Shakti. Many miraculous incidents are associated with Tarapith. There are twenty one different forms of Buddhist deity Tara known for her compassion and wisdom. Several colours are associated with Devi Tara such as red, white, yellow, orange, black.
Along with the mythological aspects of Devi Tara many historical personalities will be discussed such as role of Brajabashi Purohit, Kailaspati, Dakuber Kailsapati, Rani Tara Debi, Taranath Brahmachari, Nonimohan Goswami Nagendranath, Tarananda Maharaj, Gosain Maharaj, Raja Ramjiban, raja of Natore who were all associated with the temple of Tarapith. History of Chandipur and how Chandipur Tarapith emerged will be focused where role of Sadhak Kabindrakarnabharanam, role of Gnanandababa, Mokshadananda Baba will be highlighted.
The history of Tarapith both before and after the Muslim rule will be focused, where Raja Ramjivan Chowdhury's third temple construction of Tarapith in between 1696 and 1701 will be enlightened. Several festivals of Tarapith temple and significance of Birbhum will also be approached.
Similarly the story of merchant Joydutta, role of Raja Rammohan Roy Chowdhury, Maharaj Jatindranath Tagore, Prasanna Tagore, Umanath Ray, Pramathesh Brahmachari, Natore kingdom and the Jeebita Kunda or the life giving pond which could actually bring back life in corpses or dead people will also be covered.
Emphasis will be made on SKULL CULT, a tantric practice called CHOD, on the Tibetan book of the Dead, on Tantric gurus of Tarapith such as Jotababa, Khakibaba, Mokshadananda, Anandanath, Aghoribaba, Magonananda Bhairabi.
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