Idol Installation Festival At Tarapith in 2026 – On The Day Before Kojagiri Purnima – Ceremonies – Story – History

On the day before Kojagiri Purnima, the sanctity of Tarapith in Bengal attains a different dimension. It is said that on this very day, beneath the white silk-cotton tree (Shimul) in Tarapith’s great cremation ground, Sage Vashishtha discovered the original stone idol of the Goddess. Idol Installation Festival At Tarapith 2026 date is October 24.

The Story And History

Though the image Sage Vasishta discovered has been lost over time, popular belief holds that during the reign of the Pala kings, a merchant named Jayadatta received a divine dream instructing him to retrieve and reinstall the idol in the temple on the Shukla Chaturdashi (the fourteenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashwin). Later, the Rani of Natore built the current temple.

Tarapith Idol Installation Festival Ceremonies

On the anniversary of the Goddess’s manifestation, her daily routine changes. Before sunrise—around 3 AM.—the idol is brought out from the sanctum and placed on the Viram Manch (resting platform), facing west. Water is fetched from the Jeevit Kund (Sacred Pond of Life) for her ceremonial bath, after which she is adorned in royal attire and worshipped with Mangala Aarti (auspicious morning prayers).

On this day, the Goddess observes a fast from sunrise to sunset, so no midday offering is made. Instead, she partakes of fruits and sweets. In the morning, her sheetal bhog (cool meal) includes luchi (fried bread), sweets, and suji (semolina pudding). At night, offerings of khichuri, pulao, five kinds of fried items, and fish and meat dishes are made.

Why The Idol Faces West During Ceremony

It is said that once, King Rakharchandra was forbidden by the chief Tantric Anandanath from performing the ritual worship. The offended king then began his own ceremony on the western bank of the Dwarka River. That very night, Goddess Tara appeared to Anandanath in a dream, instructing him that her worship should always be performed facing west—toward the Kali Temple. Since then, this custom of placing the idol facing west for a day’s worship has continued.

After remaining on the Viram Manch throughout the day, the Goddess is returned to the main shrine after the evening aarti.

Special Puja On Trayodashi By Traders

On the day before the manifestation festival, i.e., Trayodashi, local traders perform Hal Khata (ceremonial opening of new account books). They believe that by doing so, the Goddess blesses them, ensuring prosperity in their business throughout the year.