Ugratara Sthan

Ugratara Sthan, located in the village of Mahishi in the Saharsa district, is one of the most significant and spiritually potent Shakti Peethas in the Mithila region. Dedicated to Goddess Ugratara, the second of the ten Mahavidyas in the Hindu Tantric tradition, the temple is a major hub for esoteric spiritual practices. It is believed to be the spot where the 'left eye' of Goddess Sati fell after her body was dismembered by Lord Vishnu, a narrative that imbues the site with profound cosmic energy. The central sanctum houses a striking 1.6-meter-tall black stone idol of the Goddess, flanked by smaller manifestations known as Ekjata and Nil Saraswati, representing a unique trinity of Tara. Beyond its pilgrimage status, Mahishi holds a monumental place in Indian intellectual history as the legendary site of the 'Shastrarth' (philosophical debate) between the Advaita Vedanta philosopher Adi Shankaracharya and the Mimansa scholar Mandan Mishra. The debate, presided over by Mandan Mishra's highly learned wife, Bharati, is a landmark event that symbolizes the convergence of different paths of Hindu thought. The temple is especially renowned during the festival of Navratri, when tantric seekers and devotees from across India and Nepal converge to witness ancient rituals and seek 'Siddhi'. The serene yet powerful atmosphere of Ugratara Sthan, combined with its dual legacy of spiritual intensity and intellectual rigor, makes it a cornerstone of Maithil cultural and religious identity.