(1843–1911) His presence and supposed miraculous powers are largely responsible for Tarapith's importance as a regional sacred site (tirtha) in West Bengal.
Ascetic devotee (bhakta) of the Goddess in her fierce and
powerful form as Tara; his presence and supposed miraculous powers are largely
responsible for Tarapith's importance as a regional sacred site (tirtha).
Vamakhepa was preoccupied with ideas of the Goddess since he
was a youngster, and from an early age, he took up residence at the Tarapith
cremation site, where he practiced Tara worship.
Various stories describe his ability to heal people of all
kinds of ailments, as well as his complete disregard for all accepted
standards—according to legend, he once urinated on the temple's image of Tara
to show his disdain for a deity made of iron, and the Goddess struck him in
punishment.
