Tarapith

History at a glance

1. Puranic
   Vishnu's Sudarshana Chakra divides Sati's body during Shiva's dance; her third eye falls here. The Devi Bhagavata, Kalika and Markandeya Puranas and the Shakti Peetha Stotram record it.
2. Legendary
   Vasishtha asks Tara to appear as a mother suckling Shiva — the form the Buddha had seen in a vision. She does, and becomes the stone image.
3. 13th century
   The temple is built, according to West Bengal Tourism.
4. Before the renaming
   The village is called Chandipur.
5. 19th century
   Bamakhepa lives in the cremation ground under Kailashpathi Baba. Beaten by priests for eating the goddess's food, he is defended by Tara herself in a dream to the Maharani of Natore, and is thereafter fed before the deity.
6. Annually
   On Kaushiki Amavasya, night-long rituals mark Tara's appearance to Bamakhepa.
7. Current
   Animal sacrifice continues at the Bali Pith; sadhus live permanently in the cremation ground.

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