Tarapith is an important and cherished pilgrimage spot in the state of West Bengal, with a vibrant religious atmosphere. In the centre of the town lies the Tarapith Temple, which is dedicated to Goddess Tarapith and draws in devotees from all corners of the country. On the other side of the temple is the maha smashana or Burning Ghat where prayers and meditation are done further adding on to the enchanting aura of the place. All these places to visit in Tarapith promise a diverse experience.
The Ultimate Guide To Places To Visit In Tarapith
Tarapith also known as Tara Tarini Temple, is believed to fulfill all the needs of tourists. Besides the temple, there are multiple other places to visit which are a blend of scenic spots and temples with history.
The best places to visit in Tarapith for a memorable vacation in the beautiful destination
1. Tarapith Temple
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Tarapith Temple is built in the name of the goddess Tara, a powerful goddess in Hinduism. The temple is famous for its religiosity and, as a result, draws worshippers not only from the nearby region but other parts of India. The temple also serves as a place of practice and is a cultural institution mostly during the seasons of Durga Puja and Kali Puja when the ambience is full of energy and worship. The temple is beautifully carved and represents traditional and interpretative sculptures.
Location: Tarapith, West Bengal
Major Attractions: Goddess Tara idol, Rituals, Festive celebrations
How To Reach: Accessible by local transport from main roads; around 4 hours from Kolkata by car
2. Tarapith Ashram
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Tarapith Ashram is situated in the vicinity of the Tarapith Temple. This place is ideal for those in pursuit of tranquillity and spiritual restoration. This ashram conducts various spiritual activities and meditation sessions with the help of professionals. The non-disturbing setting, compact with plenty of trees and nature at its best, welcomes calm and contemplation to every person within their space. Most people also take part in the yoga classes offered, other religious teachings and enjoy the peaceful environment maintained by the ashram. Apart from above anybody can also go to the ashram for enhancing spirituality hence the ashram is frequented by bonafide spiritual practitioners.
Location: Near Tarapith Temple
Major Attractions: Meditation, Spiritual workshops, Peaceful environment
How To Reach: Easily reachable by local transport from Tarapith Temple; around 10 minutes by car
3. Tarapith Market
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Tarapith Market serves its purpose and it is an enjoyable experience for visitors who wish to take a glimpse of the local culture. The market area is packed with a number of different colourful stalls selling items like religious materials, souvenirs, confectionaries, traditional Bengali cuisines and so on. She can shop for a range of products – bright coloured bangles or beautifully crafted puja-related products – and also relish some street food which comprises kachoris and sweet items. The ambience of the market is so lively that it has the perfect vibrant culture of Tarapith and one can interact with the locals to shop.
Location: Near Tarapith Temple
Major Attractions: Local handicrafts, Street food, Cultural experience
How To Reach: Easily accessible by foot from Tarapith Temple; local transport available
4. Tarapith Riverbank
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The Tarapith Riverbank is a stunning location perfect for walking, or simply enjoying the surroundings. The stretch near the river has a beautiful view for tourists wanting to take in the scenery of Tarapith. Many people come here to have food, do meditation, play sports or just to enjoy the peaceful sound of the running water. The bank of the river has trees, and benches to sit upon making it more family and couple-friendly. This spot also comes in handy for those who enjoy photography as many want to capture beautiful pictures of the sunsets over the river.
Location: Near Tarapith Temple
Major Attractions: Scenic views, Relaxation spots, Photography opportunities
How To Reach: Easily accessible by foot from Tarapith Temple; a short walk from the town centre
5. Sri Sri Bamdev Smriti
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Sri Sri Bamdev Smriti is a historical and religious site built for honouring the departed soul of Bamdev, a learned sage and philosopher whose very presence inspired the local people. This place acts as both a shrine to Bamdev, and a space of his teachings for the visitors to find peace. The memorial draws in both the devotees and the tourists as it gives a glimpse of the spiritual history of the region. The calm surroundings in addition to the sacred ambiance make it an ideal place for meditation and self-contemplation.
Location: Taki, South 24 Parganas district
Major Attractions: Bamdev shrine, Spiritual ambience, Cultural heritage
How To Reach: Easily accessible from central Taki by road or local transport
Where To Stay In Tarapith
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There are several nice places to stay in Tarapith and its nearest tourist spots are in a comfortable distance. Tarapith Temple Guest House, amongst others, is highly preferred by most visitors as it provides very basic but important facilities for pilgrims and travellers. Also, there are many local lodgers and small hotels in the locality that give cheap rooms with basic and necessary facilities. On the other hand, for those who are seeking calmness more than anything else, Ashrams in and around Tarapith including Tarapith Ashram provide basic rooms with a calm atmosphere favourable to meditation and contemplation.
Where To Eat In Tarapith
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In Tarapith, choices for eating out are few but serve the very basic Traditional Bengali Meals. Small local shops and street vendors operate around the Tarapith temple serving typical Bengali meals like boiled rice, fish curry and various other local dishes. Nearby places such as Suri and Rampurhat have fast-dine food joints which offer both Bengali and North Indian meals. In case one is looking for more elaborate meals, they can probably go to the nearby hotels or guesthouses where meals are also provided to the guests most times integrating Bengali vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals.
Best Time To Visit Tarapith
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Tarapith is best visited between the months of October and March, which is the winter season. The climate is quite pleasant, thus encouraging movements in the surroundings and visiting sacred grounds. The summer period, which runs from April to June is generally hot, and the temperatures can even exceed thirty-five degrees Celsius rendering outdoor excursions uncomfortable. Don’t plan a visit in the period of the full monsoon season which is from July through September because there are literally stops of heavy rain making travel to such places difficult.
Tarapith, present in the West Bengal region, has its own share of spirituality, history, and nature. The town is home to all those who visit the most sacred Tarapith Temple. It becomes inevitable that each of such trips turns into an expedition where interesting and even fantastic tales and customs of the wooden town can be encountered. Ensuring you can go on the much-awaited holiday to Tarapith, TripXL is at your service. Tarapith is a treasure where you can see several sacred places; do not hesitate any longer to book your trip!
Cover Photo: Souravs2504 / Wikimedia Commons