In addition to the temple, Tarapith is closely associated with the mystic saint Bamakhepa, who is said to have had deep spiritual experiences in this area.

[8] The cremation ground accompanying the temple is one of the most revered and popular sites for tantric practices in Shaktism.

[9][10] Tarapith temple is situated near the Dwaraka river in the serene village landscape of Rampurhat-II Tehsil.

Another legend describes the following: Shiva had drunk the poison that had emerged by the churning of the cosmic oceans, to save the universe.

[18] Another oral legend about the temple states that the sage Vashishtha practised austerities toward Tara, but was unsuccessful, so on the advice of a divine voice, he went to meet the Buddha – an avatar of Vishnu according to some schools of Hinduism – in Tibet.

During this time, Buddha had a vision of Tarapith as an ideal location for a temple that would serve to enshrine the image of Tara.

[17][19] Tarapith, Kalighat and Nabadwip are considered among the most important tirthas (holy places with a sacred water body) for Bengali Hindus.

[21][16] They are believed to have originated due to the falling of body parts of the corpse of Sati Devi, when Lord Shiva carried it and wandered in sorrow.

[17] The priests of the temple offer puja (worship) with great reverence, in order to reveal her motherly aspect to the devotees.

[38] As per the age old rituals, Tarapith had has been a Tantric temple, where goat sacrifices are performed to seek blessings of the goddess.

[44] Mamata Banerjee has announced another project "Tarabitan", which will include 21 cottages made over 7 acres of land, within 6-7 km of the temple.

₹5.16 crore have been invested in the project by the state government, which will also include a helipad, several restaurants, a parking plaza, a shopping complex and an auditorium.

[48][49] After the renovations were completed and Maa Tara's idol was transferred back to the main, the temple committee generated a new set of rules which banned on the cracking of coconut on the floor and carrying vermillion or "alta" inside the "garbhagriha", in order to keep the floor and walls in proper condition for a longer time.

[50][51] The cremation ground (maha smasan), amidst dark forest surroundings, is located on the river side at the end of town limits, away from the village life and practices of the Bengali social order.

It is believed that goddess Tara can be seen in shadows drinking blood of goats which are sacrificed every day at her altar, to satiate her anger and seek favours.

[52] Tantric practitioners believe that Tara is attracted to bones and skeletons and the cremation ground is her preferred residence.

[56] Sadhus have built their hutments, amidst banyan trees and embellished their huts with red-painted skulls embedded into the mud walls.

In addition, calendar pictures of Hindu goddesses, saints of Tarapith and a trishul (trident) decorated with marigold garlands and skulls at the entrance are a common sight in front of the huts.

Human as well as animal skulls like those of jackals and vultures – which are unfit for Tantric rites – and snake skins decorate the huts.

Bama-khepa, literally means the mad ("khepa") follower of "left handed" ("Bama" or "Vama" in Sanskrit) path – the Tantric way of worship.

[16] Bamakhepa, goddess Tara's ardent devotee lived near the temple and meditated in the cremation grounds.

At a young age, he left his house and came under the tutelage of a saint named Kailsahpathi Baba, who lived in Tarapith.

[59] It is believed that Tara gave a vision to Bamakhepa in the cremation grounds, in her ferocious form, before taking him to her breast.