Tara Tarini Temple Ganjam: Complete Guide for Visitors

Written by , Dekho Dham. Facts are checked against official temple, government and scripture sources. How we source information

Kalinga-style stone shrines of the Tara Tarini Temple on Kumari Hill in Ganjam, Odisha
Kalinga-style stone shrines of the Tara Tarini Temple on Kumari Hill. Photo: Nayansatya, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Welcome to Maa Tara Tarini

माँ तारा तारिणी मंदिर - पूरी जानकारी

The start page of our 6-page series. Checked 16 October 2026

Tara Tarini Temple sits on Kumari Hill beside the Rushikulya river in Ganjam district, Odisha. It is counted among the four Adi Shakti Peethas, and the goddess is worshipped as two sisters, Tara and Tarini. Pilgrims climb 999 steps or ride a ropeway to reach the shrine, and every Chaitra the hill fills with families for the Chaitra Jatra.

This page is the hub of our guide. Use it to find the right page fast. Every page lists its sources and answers common questions, and we mark clearly what is official, what is a third-party report and what is tradition.

How we wrote this: The Dekho Dham team used Wikipedia, news reports, a heritage article, the ropeway operator page and travel guides. We could not find an official temple website with a published timetable, so some details are marked unconfirmed. Last checked: 16 October 2026.

Tara Tarini at a Glance

एक नज़र में

The quick facts

WhereKumari Hill, on the Rushikulya river, near Purushottampur, Ganjam, Odisha
WhatOne of the four Adi Shakti Peethas by tradition. Two stone faces of Tara and Tarini are the main deity
Climb999 steps, a ropeway of about 333 m, or a road to the rear of the hill
Timings5:30 AM to 10 PM (Wikipedia, used across this guide). A 2025 guide differs, so confirm locally
DarshanGeneral darshan is free. Special darshan was reported at Rs 100 (as of 2020 and 2025 - confirm locally)
Big festivalChaitra Jatra on Tuesdays of Chaitra (March-April)
Nearest stationBerhampur (Brahmapur), about 28 to 32 km
Nearest major airportBhubaneswar, about 160 km by road from the city (one guide says 175 km from the airport). Puri is about 200 km
The main shrine of Tara Tarini Temple with its stepped Odisha-style tower
The main shrine of Tara Tarini Temple with its stepped Odisha-style tower. Photo: Nibedit, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Choose Your Page

अपना पेज चुनें

Tap a title or button to open that page

Page 1: History, Story and Significance →
The Sati legend, the four Adi Shakti Peethas, what history can show and the festivals.

Open Page 1: History

Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips →
Opening hours, the 999 steps, the ropeway, tickets and safety tips.

Open Page 2: Timings and Tips

Page 3: Places to Visit Near Tara Tarini →
Jaugada, Rushikulya turtles, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Berhampur, Chilika and Taptapani.

Open Page 3: Nearby Places

Page 4: How to Reach Tara Tarini →
Trains, roads, flights, local transport and stay.

Open Page 4: How to Reach

Page 5: Complete Guide Hub (you are here). Quick facts, a plan by time and the most asked questions.

Page 6: Fact Check - True or False →
Common claims checked against public sources, with verdicts.

Open Page 6: Fact Check

Plan by Time

समय के अनुसार

What to read first

A few hoursRead Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips, then go for darshan
One dayRead Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips, then Page 3: Places to Visit Near Tara Tarini for Jaugada and Berhampur
Two daysRead Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips, Page 3: Places to Visit Near Tara Tarini and Page 4: How to Reach Tara Tarini. Add Gopalpur-on-Sea and Chilika
Before you bookRead Page 4: How to Reach Tara Tarini for routes and Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips for festival crowds
To understand the templeRead Page 1: History, Story and Significance

Quick Answers

त्वरित उत्तर

The most asked questions

Is darshan free?General darshan is free. Special darshan was reported at Rs 100 in 2020 and 2025 sources
How many steps?999. The ropeway takes about 5 minutes
Best timeOctober to February for comfort. Chaitra Tuesdays for the fair, with heavy crowds
What to carryWater, a cap, easy footwear, small cash and a cloth bag for shoes
Bird's eye view of Tara Tarini Temple lit up at night during the Chaitra festival
Bird's eye view of Tara Tarini Temple lit up at night during the Chaitra festival. Photo: Government of Odisha, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Watch: The Story in 3 Minutes

वीडियो

A short film on the temple

A short third-party film by Kailasa Siddhi, narrated by Kailash Kher. It is not an official temple video, so details may differ slightly from the sources listed below.

Nearby and Beyond

आस-पास

Make it a trip

Jaugada has Ashoka's rock edicts, the Rushikulya mouth is a major Olive Ridley nesting beach, and Gopalpur-on-Sea and Chilika are a short drive from Berhampur. Read Page 3 for details. If you also plan to see another of the four Adi Shakti Peethas, read our Kamakhya Temple guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers

Where is Tara Tarini Temple?
It is on Kumari Hill beside the Rushikulya river, near Purushottampur in Ganjam district, Odisha, about 28 to 32 km from Berhampur.
Why is Tara Tarini Temple famous?
It is counted as one of the four Adi Shakti Peethas. Tradition says the breasts of Sati fell here, and the goddess is worshipped as twin sisters Tara and Tarini.
How many steps are there?
There are 999 steps. You can also take the ropeway or a road to the rear of the hill.
What are the Tara Tarini Temple timings?
No official timetable was found. We use Wikipedia's 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM. A 2025 guide lists 6:30 AM to 8:30 PM with breaks, but it conflicts with its own puja table. Confirm locally.
How do I reach Tara Tarini Temple?
Go to Berhampur by train, then take a taxi or bus for about 28 to 32 km. From Bhubaneswar it is about 160 km by road.
What can I see nearby?
Jaugada (Ashoka's edicts), the Rushikulya turtle beach, Gopalpur-on-Sea, Berhampur, Chilika Lake and Taptapani.
When is the best time to visit?
October to February is cooler. The Chaitra Jatra in March-April is the biggest fair but very crowded.

Tara Tarini Temple - Complete Guide (6 pages)

Plan your Ganjam trip

Flights (search Bhubaneswar)Bus (search Berhampur)Hotels (search Berhampur)

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Sources and further reading

Have a question, or spotted something we should verify? Ask in the comments below and we will check it against official sources and correct the post.

Your experience, tips and suggestions help other devotees plan better and make this guide more accurate.

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