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Tarapith and Kali Puja: what to know

Tarapith in Birbhum is a pilgrimage town of tantric worship. If you plan to go on Kali Puja night, here is what to know first.

Last checked: 31 Oct 2026 · 4 sources

Tarapith and Tara Maa

Tarapith is a town in the Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Its tantric Hindu temple is dedicated to the goddess Tara, and thousands of pilgrims visit every day. A Hindu cremation ground lies right next to the temple. (Source: Wikipedia, Tarapith)

The Rampurhat Junction page describes the Maa Tara temple as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India. (Source: Wikipedia, Rampurhat Junction railway station)

Bamakhepa and the cremation ground

The tantric saint Bamakhepa was born Bamacharan Chattopadhyay in Atla village, Birbhum, and died at Tarapith. He lived near the temple and meditated in the cremation grounds. (Source: Wikipedia, Bamakhepa)

It is believed that Goddess Tara appeared to him in her fierce form in the cremation grounds. His shrine stands near the Tarapith temple. (Source: Wikipedia, Bamakhepa)

Kali Puja in 2026

Kali Puja in 2026 is on Sunday 8 November. Drik Panchang's Kolkata listing gives Nishita time as 10:55 pm to 11:46 pm, and Amavasya from 11:27 am on 8 November to 12:31 pm on 9 November. These are Kolkata timings; confirm the puja schedule at Tarapith with the temple or local sources. (Source: Drik Panchang, Kali Puja 2026 date and time (Kolkata))

💡 We did not find a source we could read that describes Tarapith's Kali Puja night rituals, so we are not guessing here. Check with the temple committee or local news before you go.

Getting there

The nearest railway stations are Rampurhat and Tarapith Road. Rampurhat Junction is an Eastern Railway station in the Howrah division, code RPH, on the Howrah–New Jalpaiguri main line. The page says Tarapith is 9 km from Rampurhat station, and Howrah Junction is 207 km away by the shortest route. (Source: Wikipedia, Rampurhat Junction railway station)

💡 Expect crowds around Kali Puja, so book train tickets early. Work out how you will get from Rampurhat to the temple and when your return transport runs. If you can, book a place to stay in advance.

💡 Stay together in the crowd, agree a meeting point, and leave valuables and extra cash behind. Follow the temple's rules and the instructions of police and volunteers.

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