Ghatagaon Tarini
One of the most sacred destinations in Keonjhar is the temple of Maa Tarini in Ghatagaon. Ghatagaon, Keonjhar is popular to the tourists because of the holy temple of Maa Tarini. Indianholiday.com offers online information on Ghatagaon, Keonjhar and other tourist attractions of Orissa and other parts of India. While on a Tour to Orissa, visit this Ghatagaon Tarini temple which is one of the most frequented Holy Places in Keonjhar.
Maa Tarini is the other name for Goddess Shakti. She is one of the most sacred deities in Orissa. Every year thousands of tourists come to visit Maa Tarini’s temple in Keonjhar. There are a number of legends regarding Maa Tarini.
The history of the temple is drawn in the depth of the past. However the known legends indicate that the deity was installed in the year 1480 by the then ruler of Keonjhar state Sri Gobinda Bhanjadeo.During “Kanchi War” the then ruler of Puri Sri Purusottamdev choosed Sri Gobinda Bhanja the ruler of Keonjhar as “Senapati” and under his leadership he was able to conquered Kanchi. King Purusottam Dev won the war and Princess Padmavati came with King Purusottam Dev. King wanted to bring Maa Tarini along with Lord Madanmohan , Raghunathjew to Puri. They prayed them to bring them. Thus they came to Kalinga or Odisha. After that Sri Purusottamdev was pleased and wanted to reward Sri Gobinda Bhanja. Sri Gobinda Bhanja asked to take the deity “MAA TARINI” along with him to Keonjhar state. King Purusottam Dev agreed to this and asked him to ask Maa’s permission. Govinda Bhanja prayed MAA and MAA agreed with one condition. Maa said she will go with him as long as Govinda Bhanja doesn’t look back to see Maa. With this Condition Maa went with Govinda Bhanjha to Kendujhar(Keonjhar). On the way from Puri to Kendujhar, Maa horse hoof sounds were audible. On the forest of Kendujhar, Maa’s horse hoofs was not audible to Govinda Bhanja. He got scared that Maa stayed behind and he turned to look back to see. There n then Maa turned into stone at Ghatgaon at the present place where the deity is installed. Govinda Bhanjha prayed Maa for forgiveness but Maa said she has made the condition with him before coming. And she will stay in the wild jungle and asked Govinda Bhanjha to worship in that place. Till today Maa Tarini is being worshipped in Ghatagaon. Which is now a major tourist attraction in Keonjhar (Odisha).
Ghatagaon, Keonjhar is in the midst of a wild forest. Tourists and pilgrims from all over worship Maa Tarini in the forests of Ghatagaon Keonjhar. A number of festivals takes place in Ghatagaon, Keonjhar at the holy temple of Maa Tarini. This is one of the important holy places in Keonjhar Orissa. Tuesday and Saturday is observed as the day of Maa. The puja is done by Dehuri, a tribal group that follows the rites and rituals of the Puja. Devotees gather in large numbers to follow the Puja. The Goddess is sacred and important to the tourists.
Besides the important Pujas offered here, Ghatagaon, Keonjhar is also famous for the festival. The important festivals are Makara Sankranti, Maha Visubha Sankranti and the Raja Sankranti.
Greatness of Maa
No one has come empty handed from Maa’s temple. Maa has always answered the prayers of her devotees. Maa’s has given each one of them what they deserve to get. Maa needs nothing from her devotees except few things like dedication, pureness and love.
Maa needs no elaboration, expensive preparation from us. She needs few inexpensive and common things from us. There is a saying and it has been proved also, whoever has prayed Maa and offered her a coconut on Tuesday or Saturday, Maa will fulfilled the desire of her Devotees.
No where in this world one can see such a miracle. If one gives a coconut on the name of Maa at anywhere in Odisha then it will be carried to Maa Temple without any hesitation.
