Tara Tarini chock-a-block with devotees on first Tuesday of Chaitra

Lakhs of devotees from far off places in the state, neighbouring Andhra Pradesh and other parts of the country thronged Tara Tarini temple, about 35 km from Berhampur city, on the occasion of first Tuesday of Chaitra Mela on April 02, 2013.

Braving the scorching heat, they climbed the 999 steps of the 17{+t}{+h} century temple, on the banks of river Rushikulya, to tonsure the head of their children. Devotees offer hair to the deity, as a part of age-old tradition, on every Tuesday during the month of Chaitra. "I work in Delhi and have come all the way to get my child's head tonsured here," said Deepak Sahu, a software engineer. Even though a road has been laid till the temple, most devotees prefer climbing the steps for 'darshan'.

"The district administration and the temple administration have made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of visitors," said secretary of Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) Pramod Kumar Panda. Water is being provided on the way to the temple along with healthcare facilities. At least 500 police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. "No untoward incident has been reported till now," said SDPO (Chhatrapur) A Ch Pahi.

The authorities charge Rs 20 for 'Mundan' (close shaving) on the temple premises and only Re 1 for 'darshan', though special darshan costs Rs 50 per head, sources said.

Volunteers have been engaged to make the drive against polythene on the temple premises successful. They have been asked to convince the devotees not to throw polythene on the premises. RDC (southern division) Bikash Mohapatra had stressed making the shrine a polythene-free zone at the preparatory meeting for the festival. Source: Times of India

Medical centre to come up at Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

BERHAMPUR: The Tara Tarini Development Board (TTDB) has proposed to establish a modern medical centre at the foot hill of this hill shrine with the support of the State government.The authorities of the TTDB held discussions with the State health secretary Anu Garg regarding the plan during her visit to the hill shrine. According to secretary of TTDB Pramod Kumar Panda the health secretary showed positive interest towards the project. The TTDB has proposed to provide all necessary infrastructures for the project. They have urged the State health department to provide doctors and para-medics.Mr. Panda said there is extreme need of a medical centre at this hill shrine as lakhs of devotees congregate here during the month of Chaitra and also during Navaratri celebrations.This year during the four Tuesdays of Chaitra over 20 lakh devotees visited this hill shrine. This medical centre would also benefit inhabitants of four panchayats in the area. It may be noted that the TTDB is continuing its efforts to develop it as a major tourist destination of Orissa. The work on the new temple complex at the hill top is expected to be complete by January 2011. Dedicated bus service to the hill shrine and construction of a new bus stand at the foot hill also start soon. A modern lavatory complex is also to be operational on the hill top. The existing ghat road from Keshpur to the hill top would be widened at a cost of around Rs. 5 crore , the TTDB authorities said.

Efforts are also on to protect hill from landslide. Outer protection walls are to be constructed on the north and south side of the hill. Apart from it retaining wall would be constructed on the side of the hill that faces Rushikulya River to check land slides and erosion from the hill top.This work is being taken up by the rural development department of the State government.

Source: The Hindu