About
The Maa Tarini Temple is a popular Hindu Temple in Ghatgaon, Keonjhar of Indian State Odisha. This is the largest and most visited Shakti Peeth in Odisha. This place is famously known as Ghatgaon Maa Tarini Peetha. It is believed that whoever has prayed Maa Tarini and offered her a coconut on Tuesday or Saturday; she will fulfill his/her desire. If one gives a coconut on the name of Maa Tarini anywhere in Odisha; then it will be carried to Maa Temple without any hesitation.
History
According to Legends; Maa Tarini was installed in the year 1480 by the then ruler of Keonjhar state Sri Gobinda Bhanjadeo during Kanchi War. King of Kendujhar was bringing Tarini Maa from puri to Kendujhar with a condition that if he turns back then she’ll not move further. The King was riding a horse and Goddess was following him to Kendujhar. King could know that Maa Tarini was coming behind from the sound of her ornaments but near the Ghatagaon in the deep forest the sound of the ornaments didn’t come and the king looked back thinking that she’s not coming. But Maa Tarini was coming and due to the forest mud, her ornaments sounds were not coming. Due to the condition, Maa Tarini stayed there and worshiped as the queen of Forest.
Architecture
The Architectural style of the temple is Kalinga. The temple is surrounded by the fascinating wild-life sanctuary and the locality has dense forests around with long enormous trees and plants in all the four directions. The temple is shaded with orange and white stones on the outer surface and walls. It also has an arched gateway that looks gigantic and colossal staircases to reach the temple.
Puja and Festivals
The rituals performed daily at the Maa Tarini Temple are Balyabhoga, Khechudi Dhupa (Arrna Prasad), Pahada, Balyabhoga, Sandhya Dhupa (Chakuli Prasad), Sandhya Arati, Pahada.
- Balyabhoga – 6:00 AM
- Khechudi Dhupa (Arrna Prasad)- 10:30 AM
- Pahada – 1:00 PM
- Balyabhoga – 3:30 PM
- Sandhya Dhupa (Chakuli Prasad)- 5:00 PM
- Sandhya Arati – 7:45 PM
- Pahada – 8:00 PM
- The important festivals observed at this shrine are Makara Sankranti, Raja Sankranti, Maha Vishuba Sankranti, Asadhi Parba, Durga Puja(Shardiya Navratri).
- The famous Suna besha of Maa Tarini is held on these occasions. Apart from these festivals lot of other festivals also observed at the holy shrines of Maa Tarini.
How To Reach
- By Air: Nearest Airport – Biju Pattnayak Airport, Bhubaneswar (180 KM)
- By Train: Nearest Railway Station Harichandanpur Railway Station-17 KM. Kendujhargarh Railway Station – 50 KM.
- By Road: 80 KM from Bhubaneswar & 50 KM from Dist. Headquarter Keonjhar.
