The Tara Chalisa (तारा चालीसा) is the household hymn to Tara Mata. The Chalisa establishes Maa Tara's iconography, narrative, and devotional connection across 40 chaupais framed by an opening doha. Tara is the 2nd of the Dasha Mahavidyas; central to Bama Khepa tradition and the Tarapith shrine in West Bengal.

Many devotees recite the Tara Chalisa on Tuesday & Friday, with extra paaths during Tara Jayanti (Chaitra Shukla Navami) and Tuesdays of Shravan. The Chalisa is the daily anchor for households where Maa Tara is the kuldevta or ishta-devata. The verses move through praise, narrative, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure.

This page has the full Tara Chalisa with lyrics in Devanagari and Romanized English. Pair with related Chalisas like the Kali Chalisa, Bagalamukhi Chalisa, and Kamakhya Chalisa for the wider household practice.

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Tara Chalisa with Lyrics
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Lyrics with meaning

The complete Tara Chalisa – two opening dohas, forty chaupais, and a closing doha. A short English meaning sits below every verse. Toggle the script to read in Devanagari, romanized, or both side-by-side.

Opening Doha

यह चालीसा भक्तों को मां तारा देवी के करीब लाता है, जो दस महाविद्याओं में से एक हैं। वे ज्ञान, मुक्ति और सभी प्रकार की बाधाओं को दूर करने वाली मानी जाती हैं। जो लोग ध्यान, साधना या तांत्रिक मार्ग पर हैं, उनके लिए यह चालीसा विशेष रूप से लाभकारी है। जय तारा जगदम्ब जै

yaha chalisa bhaktom ko mam tara devi ke kariba lata hai, jo dasa mahavidyaom mem se eka haim| ve j~nana, mukti aura sabhi prakara ki badhaom ko dura karane vali mani jati haim| jo loga dhyana, sadhan

Opening invocation – salutation to Maa Tara and the framing of the Chalisa-prayer.

Chaupai 1

मोहि शरण तिहारी जान।। माता तुम ही जगत की पालन हारी

mohi sharana tihari jana|| mata tuma hi jagata ki palana hari

Verse 1 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 2

तुम ही भक्तन कि भयहारी। तुम ही आदिशक्ति कलिका माइ

tuma hi bhaktana ki bhayahari| tuma hi adishakti kalika mai

Verse 2 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 3

तुम ही सन्त जनों की सुखदायी। तारणी तरला तन्वी कहलाती

tuma hi santa janom ki sukhadayi| tarani tarala tanvi kahalati

Verse 3 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 4

निज जनो की मंगलदाता कहलाती। तारा तरुणा बल्लरी तुम ही

nija jano ki mamgaladata kahalati| tara taruna ballari tuma hi

Verse 4 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 5

तीररुपातरी श्यामा तनुक्षीन हो तुम ही। बामा खेपा की पालन कर्त्री

tirarupatari shyama tanukshina ho tuma hi| bama khepa ki palana kartri

Verse 5 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 6

माँ तुम ही कहलाती हो सिद्धि दात्री। माता रूप तुम्हारा अति पावन

ma.n tuma hi kahalati ho siddhi datri| mata rupa tumhara ati pavana

Verse 6 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 7

भक्तन की हो तुम मनभावन। तुमसे इतर नहीं कछु दूजा

bhaktana ki ho tuma manabhavana| tumase itara nahim kachu duja

Verse 7 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 8

तुम हो सुर-नर मुनि जन की भूपा। तुम ही माता नागलोक मे बसती

tuma ho sura-nara muni jana ki bhupa| tuma hi mata nagaloka me basati

Verse 8 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 9

जन-जन की विपदा हरती। तुम ही माता कहलाती प्रलयंकारी

jana-jana ki vipada harati| tuma hi mata kahalati pralayamkari

Verse 9 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 10

सकल त्रैलोक्य की भयहारी। माँ तुमने ही शिव प्राण बचाये

sakala trailokya ki bhayahari| ma.n tumane hi shiva prana bachaye

Verse 10 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 11

तुम्हरे सुमिरन से विष पार ना पाए। दस महाविद्या क्रम मे तुम आती

tumhare sumirana se visha para na pae| dasa mahavidya krama me tuma ati

Verse 11 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 12

द्वितीय विद्या तुम कहलाती। माता तुम ही सरस्वती कहलाती

dvitiya vidya tuma kahalati| mata tuma hi sarasvati kahalati

Verse 12 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 13

तुम ही हो ज्ञान की अधिष्ठात्री। नील सरस्वती है नाम तिहारो

tuma hi ho j~nana ki adhishthatri| nila sarasvati hai nama tiharo

Verse 13 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 14

चहूँ लोक फैलो जगमग उजियारो। श्मशान प्रिय श्मशाना कहलाती

chahu.n loka phailo jagamaga ujiyaro| shmashana priya shmashana kahalati

Verse 14 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 15

एकजटा जगदम्बा कहलाती। माता शिव तुम्हरी गोद विराजे

ekajata jagadamba kahalati| mata shiva tumhari goda viraje

Verse 15 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 16

मुण्डमाल गले मे अति साजे। बाम मार्ग पूजन तुम्को अति प्यारा

mundamala gale me ati saje| bama marga pujana tumko ati pyara

Verse 16 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 17

शरणागत की तुम हो सहारा। वीरभूमि कि माता तुम वासिनी

sharanagata ki tuma ho sahara| virabhumi ki mata tuma vasini

Verse 17 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 18

तुम ही अघोरा तुम ही विलासिनी। तुम्हरो चरित जगत आधारा

tuma hi aghora tuma hi vilasini| tumharo charita jagata adhara

Verse 18 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 19

तुमसे ही माँ चहुँ दिशि उजियारा। तुम्हरो चरित सदा मै गाउं

tumase hi ma.n chahu.n dishi ujiyara| tumharo charita sada mai gaum

Verse 19 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 20

तुमहि मात रूप मे पाऊं। चिंता सगरी हरो महतारी

tumahi mata rupa me paum| chimta sagari haro mahatari

Verse 20 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 21

तुम्हरो आसरा जगत मे भारी। तुरीया तरला तीव्रगामिनी तुम ही

tumharo asara jagata me bhari| turiya tarala tivragamini tuma hi

Verse 21 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 22

नीलतारा उग्रा विषहरी भी तुमही। अचिन्तयामिताकार गुणातीता

nilatara ugra vishahari bhi tumahi| achintayamitakara gunatita

Verse 22 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 23

बामाखेपा रक्षिता बामाखेपा पूजिता। अघोरपूजिता नेत्रा नेत्रोत्पन्ना तुमहि

bamakhepa rakshita bamakhepa pujita| aghorapujita netra netrotpanna tumahi

Verse 23 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 24

दिव्या दिव्यज्ञाना भी तुमहि। सब जन मन्त्र रूप तुमहि माँ जपहि

divya divyaj~nana bhi tumahi| saba jana mantra rupa tumahi ma.n japahi

Verse 24 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 25

त्रीं स्त्रीं रूप का ध्यान सब धरहिं । मुझ पर माँ कृपाल हो जाओ

trim strim rupa ka dhyana saba dharahim | mujha para ma.n krripala ho jao

Verse 25 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 26

अपनी कृपा का अमिय जल बरसाओ। काली पुत्र निशदिन तुम्हे मनावे

apani krripa ka amiya jala barasao| kali putra nishadina tumhe manave

Verse 26 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 27

निश-वासर माँ तुमको ध्यावे। खडग खप्पर तुम्हरे हस्त विराजे

nisha-vasara ma.n tumako dhyave| khadaga khappara tumhare hasta viraje

Verse 27 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 28

खष्टादश तुम्हरी कळा अति साज़े। तुमने माता अगम्य चरित दिखलायो

khashtadasha tumhari kala ati saze| tumane mata agamya charita dikhalayo

Verse 28 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 29

अक्षोभ ऋषि को मान बढ़ायो। माता तारा मोरे हिय आय विराजो

akshobha rrishi ko mana baढ़ayo| mata tara more hiya aya virajo

Verse 29 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 30

नील सरस्वती बन साजो। तुम ही भक्ति भाव की अमित सरूपा

nila sarasvati bana sajo| tuma hi bhakti bhava ki amita sarupa

Verse 30 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 31

अखिल ब्रह्माण्ड की भूपा। बिन तुम्हरे नहि मोक्ष अधिकार

akhila brahmanda ki bhupa| bina tumhare nahi moksha adhikara

Verse 31 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 32

तुमसे है माता जगत का बेङा पार। आकर मात मोहि दरस दिखाओ

tumase hai mata jagata ka be~na para| akara mata mohi darasa dikhao

Verse 32 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 33

मम जीवन को सफल बनाओ। रमाकांत है तुम्हारि शरण मे

mama jivana ko saphala banao| ramakamta hai tumhari sharana me

Verse 33 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 34

दीजो माता मोहि जगह चरण मे। जो मन मन्दिर मे तुमहि बसावे

dijo mata mohi jagaha charana me| jo mana mandira me tumahi basave

Verse 34 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 35

उसका कोई बाल न बांका कर पावे। तुम्ही आदि शक्ति जगदीशा

usaka koi bala na bamka kara pave| tumhi adi shakti jagadisha

Verse 35 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 36

ब्रह्मा विष्णु शिव सब नवायें शीशा। तुम ही चराचर जगत कि पालनहारी

brahma vishnu shiva saba navayem shisha| tuma hi charachara jagata ki palanahari

Verse 36 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 37

तुम ही प्रलय काल मे नाशनकारी। जो नर पढ़ें निरन्तर तारा चालीसा

tuma hi pralaya kala me nashanakari| jo nara paढ़em nirantara tara chalisa

Verse 37 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 38

बिनश्रम होए सिद्ध साखी गौरीशा। जो नर-सुर मुनि आवे तुम्हरे धामा

binashrama hoe siddha sakhi gaurisha| jo nara-sura muni ave tumhare dhama

Verse 38 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 39

सफल होयें उनके सब कामा। जय जय जय माँ तारा

saphala hoyem unake saba kama| jaya jaya jaya ma.n tara

Verse 39 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Chaupai 40

दीन दुखियन की तुम हो मात्र सहारा। निशदिन माता तारिणी

dina dukhiyana ki tuma ho matra sahara| nishadina mata tarini

Verse 40 of the Tara Chalisa – praise of Maa Tara in the Chalisa structure.

Why this chalisa

What the Tara Chalisa is recited for, and what people turn to it for.

Daily anchor for Maa Tara-bhakti

Many homes recite the Tara Chalisa as part of the morning paath. The 40-verse text takes about seven minutes at a comfortable pace and serves as the daily devotional anchor.

For festival days

Tuesday & Friday and the major Maa Tara festivals are the central recitation periods. Many devotees do 11 or 21 paaths on these days.

For specific intentions

Many devotees take vows of 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths over a fixed period for specific intentions – marriage, fertility, illness recovery, court matter. (This is a verse of devotional faith, not a replacement for medical or professional advice.)

Companion to wider tradition worship

Pair with related Chalisas of the same family or sampradaya for the complete daily practice. Tara is the 2nd of the Dasha Mahavidyas; central to Bama Khepa tradition and the Tarapith shrine in West Bengal

For pilgrim recitation

The Chalisa is recited during pilgrimage to the major Maa Tara shrines.

For households where Maa Tara is the kuldevta

For households where Maa Tara is the family deity, the Chalisa is the daily morning prayer and a central rite during family events.

Origin

The Tara Chalisa is the household-tradition Chalisa of Tara Mata. The text is generally placed in the late 19th to early 20th century CE; many published copies attribute it simply to tradition. Tara is the 2nd of the Dasha Mahavidyas; central to Bama Khepa tradition and the Tarapith shrine in West Bengal

Maa Tara is honoured in the wider Hindu tradition with festivals, pilgrimage shrines, and household worship. The Chalisa makes Maa Tara-bhakti accessible for daily householders without requiring extensive Sanskrit liturgy.

The Chalisa's narrative and iconography establish the central devotional connection. The verses move through praise of Maa Tara's form and qualities, narrative episodes from popular tradition, and personal petition – the standard Chalisa structure inherited from the Hanuman Chalisa.

The Chalisa's wider companions are Kali Chalisa, Bagalamukhi Chalisa, and Kamakhya Chalisa. Pair as appropriate for the daily practice.

How to recite

A simple, sustainable approach. Nothing here is a hard rule – devotion shapes the form, not the other way around.

  1. Preparation

    Bathe and wear clean clothes. Sit facing North-East. Traditional offerings to Maa Tara: blue flowers, akshat (rice), fruits, ghee diya, dhoop. Blue and red flowers (hibiscus traditional), red cloth, deep diyas. Many tantrik traditions offer alcohol and meat (omitted in mainstream household practice).

  2. Posture and start

    Sit cross-legged with your spine straight. Bow once. Take a moment of silence. If reciting for a specific intention, offer a brief sankalp.

  3. Recitation

    Move through the chaupais without rushing. Read with attention to the meaning of each verse. Tara is honoured at Tarapith (West Bengal) by the Bama Khepa tradition; recite with attention to the tantric Mahavidya emphasis.

  4. After

    Sit quietly with eyes closed for a moment. End with the bija mantra of Maa Tara if known.

  5. Daily practice and special days

    Tuesday & Friday is auspicious. Tara Jayanti and Tuesdays of Shravan draw extra paaths. Many devotees do 11 paaths during Navratri.

Common questions

Why is the Tara Chalisa linked to Tuesday & Friday?
Tuesday and Friday are the days of fierce Devi-tradition; Tara is the 2nd of the Dasha Mahavidyas. Many homes recite the Chalisa as part of the Tuesday & Friday morning paath.
How many paaths should I do during a vow?
The traditional anushthan counts are 11, 21, 41, or 108 paaths over a fixed period (often 41 days). For daily practice, 1 paath is sufficient. Choose a count that fits your schedule and stick to it for the full period.
Can it help during exams or hard periods?
Many devotees recite it during stretches of difficulty. The Chalisa is a verse of devotional faith and steadying practice; it is not a replacement for medical, legal, or professional advice. Use it alongside the practical work, not instead of it.
How does this differ from the Kali Chalisa, Bagalamukhi Chalisa, and Kamakhya Chalisa?
Each Chalisa addresses a specific deity. The Tara Chalisa is dedicated to Maa Tara. Many homes recite multiple Chalisas across the week – one for each devata as appropriate to the day or family tradition.
Are there restrictions on who can recite?
No. The Chalisa is for everyday recitation by all householders. There is no menstrual restriction in mainstream practice, though some families follow this convention; the Chalisa text itself does not require it.
Does language matter? My pronunciation isn't perfect.
Devotion matters more than perfect pronunciation. The Chalisa is in Hindi, not Sanskrit, which makes it accessible. Reading the romanized version on this page is fine. Many devotees do manasik paath (silent recitation in the heart).
Can I recite silently or while travelling?
Yes. Manasik paath is valid and widely practised. You can do this on the commute, during a long flight, or in any setting where audible recitation isn't appropriate.
Is there a special connection to the temples of Ujjain?
Tara has the central shrine at Tarapith (Birbhum, West Bengal) where Bama Khepa achieved siddhi; Mahakaleshwar Ujjain has the wider Shaiva-Shakta connection. Aastha can guide pilgrims with combined Mahakaleshwar-related sequences.

Talk to Aastha

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