!!...Maha-Samshan of Tarapith (Tarapur), Home of Maa-Tara! Where she lives...!!

Maha Shamshan of Tarapith Great and Famous Maha-Shamshan* (Great Cremation Ground) of Maa Tara,

where she lives in her form of Sparkling Star.

 

"Maha-Shamshan* (great Cremation Ground) of Tarapith" considered as an auspicious site, lies very near to theTarapith Temple. It is pretty well known for the Tantric rituals performed here. It is  cremation ground where a wide array of Tantric rituals are performed and Maa Tara along with her Yoginis* (female Spirits), Spirits and Ghosts is believed to reside here. Maa* (Goddess Tara) prevails here in the form of a twinkling of light, like a "Star" (meaning of Tara in Hindi, Sanskrit, Bengali and other languages), a fearsome Tantric aspect of Adya-Shakti* (well described in "about blog" page) . Here the Third Eye of "Sati" had fallen and it is recognized as one of the 52 Peeths* (where pieces of dead body of Sati had fallen) of Sati, a place reflecting lots of supernatural  and extraordinary powers. If we look back through the pages of history, we can find that  Maharishi Vashistha (Guru of Ramachandra), performed rituals or rites over here in order to attain siddha* ("perfection" in viewing the deity and obtain her blessing) from Maa Tara and to get her blessing. In the later stage,

the worship of Maa Tara began with Tantric rituals following the order of Panchamakar Vidhi or Sadhana* (well described in "about blog" page). Vashishtha  learned this "Vidhi" from Lord Buddha in Tibet, China, after he failed a number of times to attain Siddhi* (accomplished), in Kamakhya (Assam).  Worshipping with five elements, namely, 1. Madya (Wine) 2. Maans (Meat) 3. Matsya (Fish) 4. Hasta Mudra (Parched Grain)  5. Maithuna (Sexual intercourse) is called a Panchamakar Sadhana. Worship of some Gods in Hinduism, basically those who have Taamsi or Tamo (destructive) qualities require this method of worship, to get rid of desire from within human beings. Lord Shiva describes about this in Kamakhya Tantra, Kankaal Malini Tantra etc, and it is compulsory to get rid of all kinds of desire for meditation purposes and to awaken "KUNDALINI" (Supernatural power contained hidden within one's self). So those who follow the way of Tantra to awaken their Kundalini or those who want to achieve super natural powers, this Maha-Shamshan of Tarapith on the bank of north flowing Dwarka river is quite significant combined with its supernatural powers. It is also said that it is pretty easy to attain accomplishment by worshipping here. 

View of the Tarapith Maha-Shamshan

A Sadhu with some of the visitors and Samadhi Mandir of different sages in "Tarapith Maha-Shamshan" Cremation Ground

Only a few years, roughly about 8-10 years ago, people were scared to go to this Maha-Shamshan even during the day time. Nights were considered to be more dangerous and terrifying. In the older days when there is a nil rush in Tarapith,

Ghosts, Spirits and Yoginis* (female Spirits) marked their presence all over the place. At night, they grew more stronger and active. Even till now, not only at night, people are afraid of visiting the shamshan* (Cremation Ground) in day time also. Some people like Shamshan-Sanyasi, Tantriks* (both are strongly related with cremation ground, even they residing over there) who are considered to have supernatural powers to fight against Ghosts and Spirits and also with wild animals were only capable of going to this area fearlessly. Since people in this area are very poor, they do not have enough money to spend for proper cremation using wood and to pay the charges of the Dome* (a section of people who cremate dead bodies in shamshan in Hindu community), So, they use to perform only Mukh Agni kriya* (a rite performed to a dead, in which his son light the fire) and then sepulcher the dead body under the soil. Such bodies are buried all over the place and hence, this cremation ground has spread over a wide area. Dogs, foxes and other wild animals start digging grave and eat dead bodies from there. Nowadays such incidents also happen but it is quite rare, while previously it was a very normal scenario. Here, it is very easy to find a freshly dug grave and the bones, flesh and other body parts spread all over. Not only this, there is a fear of violence among the existing Ghosts, Spirits and Yoginis also. In reality, shamshan or Cremation ground is a place for Wandering of the soul of the deceased; and in this particular shamshan, all such souls stay with Maa. She has given shelter to them.

 

View of the Tarapith Maha-Shamshan

Human Skull lying on the top of grave in Tarapith Maha-Shamshan

This place is full of supernatural powers and has a blessing of Maa and other deities. One of the benison of Devi was bestowed upon  Maharishi Vashistha (Guru of Ramchandra and son of lord Brahma). The bones and Maha-Sankha* (human skull) is easily available in the grave yards, which is compulsorily required in Tantra-Sadhana , Pishach-Siddhi etc. Most importantly, the river Dwarka prevailing here flows in the direction of north. Rivers flowing in north direction are considered to have supernatural powers. One such river is the Ganga in Kashi or Varanasi, which is also very famous regarding performance of tantric rituals. Maa uses her yoginis, ghosts and spirits to test the mental strength of her worshipper during meditation, whether he gets afraid and leaves the exercitation process of worship or meditation. She tests the worshipper in various ways and wants to see how fearless her devotee is. A true devotee of Maa, needs to undergo some very hard and  terrifying test. If the  worshipper can successfully cross all the obstacles through the process of meditation, Maa blesses worshipper by granting all his wish.

According to Hindu Iconography if a person is not married or has not crossed the age of 12 years, he/she should be buried and his dead body is not burnt in fire. Such a ritual is applicable in case of sages also. In this Maha-Shamshan there are plenty of graves of Sages. Vaishnava (people who are the followers of Lord Vishnu or incarnations of his) grave yard is different from the one for Shaiva sects (people who are the followers of Shiva and Shakti and their incarnations) . All the visitors have to roam around here without wearing shoes or any footwear. At all times, there may be the holy presence of Devi and her Yoginis, and even Vairabh also. So it is necessary to remove footwear before entering the Maha-Shamshan.

 

Places of interest in Maha-Shamshan of Tarapith

Pancha-Mundi Asan and Bama Khyapa's Samadhi

Pada-Padma (Foot-Print of Maa Tara), Pancha Mundi Asan, Bama's Samadhi 

Sewabhog Tala   and Bama Khyapa's Samadhi

Sewa Bhog Tala where Bama gave bhog prasad of temple to dogs and foxes, Pancha Mundi Asan, Bama's Samadhi

Place where Dead bodies are   burnt

Place where dead bodies are burnt and tantrics perform rituals of Tantra in Tarapith Cremation Ground

Important place is pada-padma of Maa Tara, near   Bama's Samadhi

Foot print of Maa Tara in Cremation Ground in Tarapith