32 K.M. away from Berhampur, Orissa is the famous Shakti Peetha of the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini, where the breast portion of Sati fell. It is mentioned is the scriptures like Shiva Purana and the Kalika Purana as one of the four most important Shaki Peethas.
It is situated 708 feet above sea level on the top of a hill, called Purnagiri hills, near the holy river Rushikulya. You have to climb about a 999 steps to reach the temple on the hill. However there is a Ariel Rope Car from Taratarini Foothill to Top hill Temple Place. Special festivals are conducted during the four Tuesdays in the month of Chaitra and on all Sankranties as per the Hindu calendar. Apart from being a great Shakti Peetha it is also a holy place for the Mahayana Buddhists.
Kalingan Empire and its capital Sampa which florished about 2300 years ago was about 7 km from Tara Tarini Devi temple. Tara Tarini was the principal deity – Ista-Devi – of the mighty kings of the Kalinga Empire.
While it existed since ancient times and mentioned in many scriptures, the present temple, according to legend was built by a Brahmin called Basu Praharaj who was a great devotee of Shakti. One night the goddess appeared in his dream and blessed him to be the father of twin daughters. He reared his daughters with love and care but when he became old the daughters vanished. Goddess appeared again in his dream and told him to build a temple atop the Purnagiri hill, which he did.
The present renovated temple is very beautiful.
It is also a picturesque place to visit with the panoramic view the eastern ghats and the river, forests and natural beauty.
Things to see: Gpalpur beach 15 km away is a good place to enjoy.
Jajpur in Orissa, 268 km away is another famous Shakti peetha of Biraja devi
How to Reach: Nearest airport is Bubaneswar 173 km away.
By train: Well connected by trains from Calcutta, Bombay, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam and Madras.
By Road: Well connected by busses from most of the major Orissa cities.
