Tarapith’s unique Rath Yatra sees Goddess Tara taken out once a year amid heavy devotee turnout

The annual Rath Yatra at West Bengal’s Tarapith temple was held with significant religious observance, where Goddess Tara was taken out of the sanctum sanctorum in a ceremonial chariot procession. This is the only day in the year when the idol of the deity is brought out for public viewing. The chariot was pulled around the temple complex as part of a traditional parikrama, drawing a large number of devotees from various parts of the state.

According to temple authorities, preparations for the event began days in advance, including chariot decoration, route management, and crowd arrangements. The idol was placed on a specially decorated chariot, and thousands of devotees gathered along the path for darshan. Many participated in pulling the chariot rope, which is considered auspicious. The procession moved to the accompaniment of traditional drums and other instruments, while rituals continued throughout the duration of the event.

To ensure safety and order, both the temple’s internal security and local police from Tarapith police station were deployed in full strength. Police personnel were positioned at all key points to manage the crowd and prevent congestion. No major incidents were reported during the event, and the Rath Yatra concluded as scheduled.