Taratarini Mela Odisha

One of the most important shrines in Odisha, Taratarini Temple in Ganjam district, observes a beautiful fair called Taratarini Mela. Renowned as the biggest carnival of Odisha, Taratarini Mela is celebrated in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March - April). The festival is observed on each Tuesdays of the Chaitra month. However, the third Tuesday witnesses the grand celebration. Throughout this time, devotees offer their prayers and offerings to the deities of Chalanti Pratima. Along with that, darshan of the deities in Garbha Griha is also allowed. Besides, the festival also includes hair offering, and hence, a special arrangement of around 500 barbers at the downhill and 250 barbers at the top of the hill is also made by the temple authorities.

The Taratarini Temple has an interesting legend associated with it which goes like that, it is the place where breasts of Goddess Sati fell. There was a time when Lord Shiva starting doing his Tandav Nritya (the dance of destruction) and in order to stop him Lord Vishnu dissevered Sati's body into 51 pieces and one of those fell here.

Celebration Date/Month

Each Tuesday of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which is March - April.

Highlights of the Festival

• During the Taratarini Mela, the temple remains open from 5 in the morning to 11 in the night to perform the pilgrimage.
• Hair offering is a significant thing which devotees performed during this festival.
• Khichadi Bhoga is the main food of this festival which is supplied to devotees at 7 Rs.
• Second and third Tuesdays of Chaitra month are considered as highly auspicious, especially the third which receives a heavy footfall of devotees.