Atop the green Kumari hills of Odisha, overlooking the Rushikulya river, stands the Tara Tarini Temple, home to twin goddesses Tara and Tarini, and one of the 51 Shaktipeethas. Its roots are linked to the story of Sati - when Lord Vishnu cut her body apart, the place where her breasts fell became this sacred site, also known as Stana (breast) Peetha. The Kalika Purana lists it as one of the four major 'Adi Shaktipeeths'.
The present temple structure, built in the 17th century, stands at 708 feet, reached by 999 steps from the base of the hill. The Bhairavs here are Someshwar (for elder sister Tara) and Udayeshwar (for younger sister Tarini). Nearby stands the Jaugada Rock Edict, a monument built by Emperor Ashoka over 2000 years ago, and the site has long been sacred to both Buddhist and Hindu tantra worshippers.
The temple's Kalinga-style architecture features intricately carved sandstone and laterite walls, housing swayambhu (self-manifested) statues of the goddesses adorned with gold and silver. The Chaitra Parba, or Tara Tarini Mela, held every March-April, is the temple's biggest festival, drawing devotees from across the country - many bring their children for 'mundan', the ritual first haircut, as an offering for the goddesses' protection.