The lost goddesses of Odisha (Tara+Tarini coats)

The legend of Tara-Tarini: Odisha’s lost goddesses

Tara and Tarini are twin goddesses, revered as avatars of Adi Shakti - the divine feminine. They are believed to have been born from the breasts of Sati (Parvati) after her self-immolation - when they fell in the Kumari Hills, the site of Odisha’s infamous Tara-Tarini temple. But local folklore tells a more compelling tale.

Long ago, in the forests of Odisha, two divine sisters were born into a humble tribal family. From a young age, they were wise beyond their years. They would vanish into the hills for days, returning with herbs to heal the sick and prophecies of rain or drought. As their fame spread, kings, sages, and warriors came from far and wide to seek their blessings. Others feared their growing power.

One day, a jealous king attempted to imprison them. But as his soldiers approached, the girls walked calmly into the forest, disappearing into the wild. For a thousand years, they were unseen, their spirits said to merge with the trees, rivers and sky. The land changed. Empires rose and fell. Then one night, two glowing women appeared to a childless couple in a dream, calling to be remembered. The couple climbed the forested slopes and found two ancient stones, shaped like breasts, half-buried in the earth, warm to the touch. The goddesses had returned. 

These twin garments reimagine the legend of Tara-Tarini through woven textile, metal craft, and tailored silhouettes. Created in collaboration with indigenous artisans, they offer a contemporary portrayal of the goddesses as nurturers and warriors.

Look 1: The Earthly Oracle Tara

The Tara Coat is a long ensemble in handwoven Kotpad cotton - aal-dyed the colours of fertile river beds. The eyes of the goddesses cast a protective gaze upon the extra-weft birds, peacocks, temples and trees. The belt is strung with colourful lubu beads - worn by women of the Bonda community. 

Look 2: The Warrior Spirit Tarini 

The Tarini Coat reflects the fierceness of the sisters. Tailored in crimson Sambalpuri bandha silk, the white motifs show the goddess housed in her mountain abode - ready to defend her territory and her followers. A dhokra metal belt, cast using the ancient lost-wax technique, adds sculptural strength - echoing ritual armour worn by the divine.