TARACHANDI DHAM
The Temple of Maa Tarachandi is situated on the beside Grand Trunk road between Varanasi and Gaya. Tarachandi Shaktipeeth is located at a distance of a kilometre from the Chandan Shaheed Hill, Sasaram in the state of Bihar, India.
Maa Tarachandi Shaktipeetha is not only one among the 52 other such holy places but also a Maha-Shaktipeetha. three other Maha-Shaktipeethas in India are at Maihar (Madhya Pradesh), Vaishnavi (Kashmir) and Vindhyachal (Uttar Pradesh). the right eye (netra) of Maa Sati is believed to have dropped here, so the name Tarachandi. It is also said that when Gautama Buddha came here after getting enlightenment, Maa Tarachandi had given him darshan in the form of a girl child. then he was directed to go to Sarnath, where Buddha had preached for the very first time. Known to give moksha, the mode of worship is satvik. It is said that Goddess Lakshmi showers those with prosperity who pray here. Significantly, there is also a mosque made by Aurangzeb in the temple complex, but namaz is not offered there. Many plan trips here to pray and also enjoy the picturesque surroundings. the statue of Ma Tarachandi is attached to a large black stone, which is a cave. the priest Udayagiri says the face of the deity is made of silver (gold plated) as was told to a businessman in a dream. Ma Tarachandi is depicted in balika swaroopa (as a girl child) here. Below the main idol, there is a statue of Lord Ganesha. while an akhanda jyoti burns adjacent to the sanctum. On the walls of this cave, the writing in Pali language, dates back to 1111 AD. Built around a barni tree with all its branches and roots taken care of during constructions, people believe if anyone harms the tree, he suffers its repercussions. there is a stone statue of Lord Vishnu to the west of the sanctum, that of Hanuman too and a havan kunda to the south.
A big verandah is attached to the sanctum where statues of Surya Devta and Bhairav Baba are installed, while a black stone statue of Lord Shiva and a Shivalinga stand adjacent to this verandah. the white colour, 70-feet high temple is beautifully built and its three floors are completely used for various temple activities. Above the dome is a gold kalasha. A separate space is provided for devotees to offer bali of coconut, to the south of the temple. the cave on the second floor is believed to be that of Parashurama who used to meditate there. there is a Dhuan Kunda in the north of the temple where Mata Dhumvati resides. She is also a form of Goddess Durga where according to popular belief, pariyan (angels) still sing and dance at night. the priest of the temple gives hibiscus flowers to devotees, whichthey keep in a red cloth and after getting blessings of the deity, offer it again to the deity. It is a rule that priests of the temple cannot wear gold and silver and take food items and clothes that are offered to the deity. Shravani Mela is held here since the time of Satayuga. At that time King Sahastrabahu used to worship the deity, while now the whole city of Sasaram celebrates this festival. People come with halwa puri, band and drums in celebration.
Voiceover - Nishant Ojha
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