Tripura Sundari Temple
One of the Shakti Peeths, known locally as Tartai Mata, with a black stone idol of the goddess riding a tiger.
- From the hotel
- 20 km
- Travel time
- 35 min
- Timings
- Early morning to evening; confirm aarti times locally
- Entry
- No charge
- Best time
- October to March; Navratri is busiest
The temple of Tripura Sundari stands about 20 kilometres from Banswara. Locally it is known as Tartai Mata, and it is counted among the Shakti Peeths — which is why it draws pilgrims from well beyond Rajasthan.
The idol
The image of the goddess is carved from black stone, with eighteen arms, each holding a different symbol, and she is shown riding a tiger. It is unusual and quite striking in person.
The temple’s age is not settled. Local tradition holds that it stood here before the reign of Kanishka, which would make it very old indeed — but there is no firm date, and you will hear different accounts from different people.
Visiting
Pilgrims come throughout the year, and the temple is busiest during Navratri, when the crowds are substantial and the atmosphere is at its most intense. If you want a quiet darshan, come on an ordinary weekday morning instead.
Dress modestly, as at any working temple. Remove footwear before entering. Photography inside the sanctum is generally not appreciated — ask first.
Getting there
About 35 minutes by road from Udaipur Road. Many visitors pair it with Paraheda Shiv Temple, a twelfth-century Shiva temple a little further out, and make a temple morning of it.
