Tarapith temple in Birbhum has introduced a set of new restrictions on worship, mobile phone use and photography ahead of Kali Puja, as the newly formed temple committee seeks to regulate visitor movement and preserve the sanctity of the renovated shrine. The changes took effect after the deity was returned to the sanctum following restoration work lasting about one month and 10 days.
Under the new rules, ordinary devotees will not be allowed to enter the sanctum and touch the idol of Goddess Tara. They will also not be permitted to place garlands directly on the deity. Other practices that have now been prohibited inside the temple include pouring alta, breaking coconuts and offering alcohol.
The committee has also barred visitors from entering the temple with mobile phones. Photography of the deity inside the sanctum has been prohibited as well. Devotees arriving for worship and darshan will therefore have to follow a different set of procedures from those that were previously permitted at the temple.
Temple committee secretary Pulak Chattopadhyay said the restrictions were introduced to maintain the temple’s rules and discipline and to protect its religious environment. The committee has appealed to every devotee and visitor to comply with the new instructions.
The changes come after restoration work was undertaken following the large gathering of devotees during Kaushiki Amavasya. During the restoration period, visitors were allowed to view the deity from the Natmandir instead of entering the main sanctum, so that darshan could continue while work was carried out.
The restoration covered the temple’s internal infrastructure and the platform on which the deity is seated. After the work was completed, Goddess Tara was brought back to the sanctum through special religious rituals linked to the deity’s manifestation anniversary. The idol was then reinstalled on its designated seat after the temple received a renovated appearance.
Tarapith is a major pilgrimage centre not only for Birbhum and West Bengal but also for visitors from different parts of India. Thousands of devotees visit the temple on a regular basis, while footfall rises further during new moon and full moon observances and other auspicious religious occasions.
With Kali Puja approaching, the new restrictions are expected to be particularly relevant to visitor management inside the temple complex. The committee’s instructions cover both religious offerings and personal devices, making compliance a part of the revised darshan arrangement. The effectiveness of the new system will be closely watched as the festival-period crowds begin to increase.
