Tara Devi Temple, Soghi, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Tara Devi Temple, Shoghi, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Location

Tara Devi temple is located in Shoghi on the top of a hill named Tarav hill, 15 km west to the state capital town, Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. On Kalka – Shimla highway Shoghi is a small town and a narrow gauge railway station of Northern railway. It is also a beautiful place of tourism importance in Himachal. From Shoghi one can go to the temple by his own car, hired taxi or by a shared auto available from Shoghi.

From Shoghi to the temple one can enjoy the beauty of nature by sweet smelling of lush green forest of pine and breeze touching softly infusing a freshness and vigour in the devotees. After reaching the temple a superb panorama view of Shimla can be seen. It seems that Maa Tara sees every body from here and keeps everyone of the territory under her protection.

[ Maa Tara Temple]

[ View of Shimla] 

The temple is an ancient, about 250 years old. The main deity inside the temple is Maa Tara who is among the 9th youngest sister of Maa Durga. A wooden idol of Maa Tara is installed inside the temple. On Shardey Navratra a fair and festival is organised in which a large gathering is witnessed. Bhandara of Mata is also organised by the local villagers and their devotees.

Significance of Maa Tara form of Devi

Maa Tara literally means Star is the second among Maha Das Vidyas form of Durga. It is a Tantrik manifestation of Durga, Kali or Parwati.

As the star in the sky looks beautiful but continuously self com busting thing. Similarly Maa Tara is believed at core as the absolute, unquenchable hunger that propels the life of the creatures.

As per Hindu mythology Maa Tara and Kali are similar in appearance. Both have a fear full appearance in Hindi called Bhayankari.

[ Maa Tara Idol in Shoghi] 

Maa Tara is blue and Maa Kali is black in appearance wearing minimal clothing. Maa Tara wears a tiger skin where as Kali wears only a girdle of severed human arms.

As per Devi Bhagwat (a Hindu holy book) Maa Tara is one who created first seed from which the entire universe took birth in the form of Lord Narayana (Vishnu).

History of the Temple

The temple was constructed about 250 years ago by the King of the Sen dynasty of west Bengal. This ancient temple have a beautiful and attractive wooden idol of Tara Devi. it is believed that Maa Tara brought here from the eastern state of Bengal by the king of Sen dynasty. Maa Tara was his family Deity. The king used to wear a locket in his upper arm in which the image of Maa Tara was encased.

Later on the king established Kyonthal as his dynasty. In the 96Th generation Bhupendra Sen was the king of Kyonthal dynasty. One day he was hunting in the dense forest of Juggar nearby the present temple he experienced the presence of his family deity Maa Tara with her watchmen Bhairav and Lord Hanuman. He felt that Maa Tara ordered him to construct a temple of her and install my the idol in it. The king immediately donated 50 Bigha of Land and constructed a temple there and installed a beautiful wooden idol of Maa Tara.

Later on king Balbir Sen of the same dynasty had a dream in which Maa Tara directed him to installed her idol on the top of Tarav hill. Pandit Bhawani Datta, the priest of his family then ordered a famous artist of the area to prepare an Ashtadhatu idol of Maa Tara. Then this idol was installed on Tarav Parwat with proper rituals where it stands with all majesty and grandeur even today. 

Since then and even today the family members of Sen dynasty do puja and rituals with full vigour and enthusiasm on Shardey Navratra and organises a fair and bhandara in the temple premises.

During Navratra a special puja is organised here with a fair over here in which a large gathering is witnessed. Bhandara for all devotees is arranged on this occasion.

Temples to Visit Nearby

Jakhu Temple

[ A large statue of Lord Hanuman ]

Basically, the temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It is believed that Lord Hanuman rested here during his long journey to Himalaya in search of sanjeevini booty for Lakshman. One should must visit this temple while in Shimla.

Sankatmochan Mandir

[ Sankat Mochan Mandir]

It is situated in the heart of Shimla town. An ancient and religious temple of Lord Hanuman.

Bheem Kali temple

[ Bheem Kali Temple ]

It is an ancient temple about 800 yrs old and one of the Shaktipeethas for the Shivaites constructed in Tibetan architectural style worth visiting.

How to reach

By Rail

Shoghi is a narrow gauge railway station on Kalka- Shimla route of northern railway. Get down at Shoghi station and take a auto or taxi to reach the temple.

By Road

Seoghi is situated on Kalka – Shimla highway at a distance of approximately 75 km. Buses from delhi, Chandigarh,and all major cities of Himachal, Punjab, Haryana ply regularly. Luxury buses are also available easily.

By air

Nearest air port is Shimla only 7 km away from Shogi. One can hire a taxi on the air port and reach easily Tara devi temple.

Timings

Timing to visit the temple is from 7.00 am to 6.30 pm daily.

Best time to Visit

Except the rainy season one can visit the temple through out the year. Shimla is an important tourist place and it is advised that one should must visit this temple while on tour to Shimla.

Where to Stay

Shimla is the capital town of Himachal. Hotels of every budget are available here for a comfortable stay.