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Mahatara Jayanti: The Celebration of Goddess Tara’s Divine Power

Mahatara Jayanti is a sacred Hindu festival dedicated to Goddess Tara, one of the Dasa Mahavidyas (Ten Great Wisdom Goddesses) in the tantric tradition. She is the embodiment of compassion, protection, and wisdom, and plays a significant role in Hinduism and Buddhism.

The Hindu calendar marks the arrival of Mahatara Jayanti on the Navami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Chaitra. As per the Gregorian Calendar, the festival comes in the month of either March or April. Swatantra Tantra considers this tithi as highly auspicious as it mentions that Goddess Tara manifested on this day to bless her devotees.

This year, we are celebrating “Tara Jayanti” on the 6th of April 2025.

“Drik Panchang” mentions the “tithi” for “Mahatara Jayanti” in 2025 as:

• Tara Jayanti on the 6th of April 2025, Sunday
• Navami Tithi Starts: 07:26 p.m. on 5th of April 2025
• Navami Tithi Ends: 07:22 p.m. on 6th of April 2025

Who is Goddess Tara in Hinduism?

One of the most powerful forms of Devi Adi Shakti, Goddess Tara represents protection, guidance, and ultimate wisdom. In the Vedic texts, she is often depicted as a fierce yet benevolent deity. She always rescues all her ardent devotees from troubles, just like a mother protecting her child.

According to Swatantra Tantra, Goddess Tara appeared on the banks of the Cholana River (also known as Cholata Sarovar) in the western part of Mount Meru. She is the Shakti of Tarakeshwara Rudravatara of Lord Shiva. Sage Vasistha was the first to perform Tara Mahavidya Sadhana, making him known as Vasistharadhita.

Legend of Goddess Tara

The legend of Goddess Tara originates from ancient Hindu and Buddhist texts. In Hinduism, Tara is believed to have emerged from the third eye of Lord Shiva when he was grieving after Goddess Sati's self-immolation. She nurtured and consoled him, guiding him back to awareness, symbolizing her role as a saviour and protector.

According to a legend found in the ancient Shastras, Goddess Tara appeared on the banks of the Cholana River (in the western part of Mount Meru.) She manifested in her blue form to slay the demon Hayagriva. Ancient books like the Mahakal Samhita mention that Tara appeared on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami, which is why the day is known as Tara-Ashtami, and the following night as Tara-Ratri.

The Symbolism of Goddess Tara

The iconography of Goddess Tara represents her immense power and grace. Her blue complexion is the representation of infinite sky, wisdom, and the vastness of knowledge. In her four hands, she holds a sword (symbolizing knowledge), a lotus (divine grace), a skull cup (transformation), and a gesture of blessing (compassion). There is always a fierce expression on her face which signifies her power to remove ignorance and fear. And, she has a tiger skin attire which demonstrates her control over primal energy.

Goddess Tara is worshipped in three main forms—Ekajata, Ugratara, and Neela Saraswati. Each of these forms represents a unique aspect of her power.

• Ekajata- The single-braided goddess, symbolizing focus and concentration.
• Ugratara –The fierce aspect of Tara, worshipped for removing ignorance and fear.
• Neela Saraswati –A form blending the wisdom of Saraswati with the transformative power of Tara.

Devi Tara is considered as the Savior Goddess, i.e. Tarini. Hence, she helps devotees cross the ocean of suffering and reach enlightenment.

Goddess Tara as per Buddhism

In Buddhism, Goddess Tara is one of the most revered deities, widely worshipped in Tibetan Buddhism. She exists in multiple forms, but the two most well-known are Green Tara & White Tara. Green Tara represents active compassion and swift protection. Buddhist texts depict her as stepping forward, symbolizing her readiness to assist devotees in times of need.

On the other hand, White Tara is related to peace, longevity, and healing. She has seven eyes (one on the forehead, palms, and soles) to symbolize her vigilance in seeing and alleviating suffering.

Buddhist texts describe Tara as an enlightened being who made a vow never to be reborn as a male, committing herself to assist all beings in female form until they attain Nirvana.

The worship of Tara Mahavidya was historically widespread in China, Tibet, and Ladakh. Ancient texts describe her as a goddess of both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Vajrayana traditions.

The Importance of Mahatara Jayanti

The worship of Goddess Tara is closely associated with the Kalikula tradition. According to legend, she took on a blue form to slay the demon Hayagriva, a form that later became famous as Goddess Tara.

Devotees also celebrate this festival to express gratitude for her guidance through difficult times and to invoke her divine energy for transformation and success.

Rituals Performed on Mahatara Jayanti

On Mahatara Jayanti, various sacred rituals are performed to please Goddess Tara and seek her blessings:

• Devotees wake up early, take a holy bath to purify their body and mind, and wear yellow or red-coloured clothes (associated with divine energy.)
• They place a murti or picture of Devi Tara on an altar decorated with flowers, incense, and lamps.
• Many also conduct a havan to invoke the divine energy of Goddess Tara while chanting the Tara Beej Mantra and Tara Stotra.
• They offer milk, honey, sweets, coconut, fruits, and red hibiscus flowers (Goddess Tara’s favourite.)
• Donating food, clothes, or money to the needy is an important practice on this day.
• Feeding Brahmins, saints, and animals is considered highly auspicious.
• Many devotees meditate on Goddess Tara’s form to receive her guidance.
• Temples and spiritual centres organize lectures on her divine wisdom.

Spiritual Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Tara

Worshipping Goddess Tara on Mahatara Jayanti brings several spiritual and material benefits.

As Hindu Shastras consider Devi Tara as the protector of devotees, she removes fear and grants courage, wisdom, intelligence, and clarity of thought to people.

For yogis and spiritual practitioners, Goddess Tara offers divine knowledge and helps in attaining Moksha (liberation). Also known as the Goddess of Healing, she removes physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering of everyone.

Temples and Sacred Sites of Goddess Tara

Across the country, there are many holy temples dedicated to Devi Tara:

• Tara Tarini Temple (Odisha, India) – It is one of the oldest Shakti Peethas.
• Tara Peetha (West Bengal, India) – It is a powerful shrine of Goddess Tara, situated on the banks of the Dwarka River, this is a revered Shaktipeetha where Goddess Sati’s eyes (Nayan) are believed to have fallen, earning her the name Nayantara.
• Patan Devi Temple (Bihar, India) – It is a sacred site of Tantric worship.
• Devi Ugratara Shaktipeetha (Bihar, India) – Located in Mahishi village of Saharsa district, this temple is a powerful centre of Tara worship, where Goddess Tara is seated alongside Goddess Ekajata and Neela Saraswati. Sage Vasistha attained Siddhi here by performing Tara Mahavidya Sadhana.

Conclusion

On Mahatara Jayanti, we are celebrating the power, compassion, and wisdom of Goddess Tara. On this day, as we seek her blessings, may we all gain spiritual knowledge, and remove obstacles from our lives. Let’s experience spiritual transformation and inner peace, and walk on the path of wisdom, fearlessness, and enlightenment.

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