Situated right on top of a hill near River Rusikuliya (a tributary of Mahanadi), Tara Tarini is one of the most important religious sites of Odisha. As per the scriptures of Hindu Purana and Tantra Shastra, this is one of the four major Shakti Peethas in India where the twin goddesses Tara and Tarini are worshipped. Without displacing the centuries old deities from their original position, a 65 ft tall temple with Mukhshala and Bhogmandap has been built recently with bricks and stones.

Lakhs of devotees from different parts of Odisha and neighboring Andhra Pradesh throng this religious site throughout the year. One of the biggest and longest religious fairs of the country, Chaitra Mela is held here every year in the month of March–April, attracting anywhere between 6-7 lakhs of pilgrims. There are two ways to get to top of this 700 ft high hill. The more adventurous and often the more religious, take the 999 steps as an alternative to winding ghat road. Despite the constant clamoring of the shopkeepers urging every visitor to buy ghee and lamp for puja, despite the usual cacophony of the over enthusiastic pilgrims and despite the cramped temple corridors, the temple complex manifests an unusual calm and tranquility. This place also offers spectacular views of the meandering river and the adjoining landscape.

Getting there: Approximately 160 km from Bhubaneswar, the journey takes approximately 2.5 hrs owing to excellent road conditions.

Best time to visit: October to February

Suggested accommodation:

1) Panthanivas Goplapur Phone: +91-680-2243931 to 2343931 Email: otdc@panthanivas.com

2) Mayfair Palm Beach Resort Phone: +91-680-6660101 Email: gopalpuronsea@mayfairhotels.com www.mayfairhotels.com/mayfair-gopalpur

3) Swosti Palm Resort Phone: +91-680-2343718, 2343455, 2343721 Email: information@swosti.com www.swostihotels.com/hotels/gopalpur-palm-resort