Tarakeswar Temple

Getting there

• By train

  Tarakeswar railway station is one of the most important stations of Eastern Railway.

• By road

  State Highway 15 and State Highway 2 pass through Tarakeswar, and the district's largest bus terminus is here.

Rules to know

• In the past, during the month-long fair, pilgrims were barred from entering the temple.
• Devotees pour Ganga water into a large drum placed outside the temple, not inside.

Why devotees come here

Tarakeswar Temple is a Shiva shrine in Tarakeswar, a municipality in Hooghly district, West Bengal, about 58 km from Kolkata. It enshrines a Shayambhu linga of Shiva, and its yearly Shrawan yatra draws pilgrims from across India.

The temple enshrines a Shayambhu linga of Shiva and is named after Tarakeswara, a form of Mahadev. It is also claimed to be one of the Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. Dudhpukur, a pond north of the temple, is believed to fulfil the prayers of those who take a dip in it. Some sources call the temple the Taraknath temple. Tarakeswar is a famous sacred city and a municipality in Hooghly district. It lies in the Chandannagore sub-division, under the Burdwan Division. The largest bus terminus of Hooghly district is in Tarakeswar.

The temple is believed to have been built in 1729 AD by Raja Bharamalla Rao. It has four roofs above the sanctum, and extended galleries for devotees to gather.

Each year between July and August, on the eve of the month of Shrawan, a yatra brings nearly 10 million devotees to Tarakeswar from across India. Many of them carry Ganga water in earthen pots on their shoulders.

Festivals

• July and August, on the eve of the month of ShrawanShrawan yatra

  Nearly 10 million devotees come from across India, many carrying Ganga water.

Tips for your visit

• Pilgrims visit throughout the year, especially on Mondays.
• During the fair, expect a queue at the drum; police keep pilgrims moving, so leave once the water is poured.
• During the fair, 32 police booths line the 37 km road from Baidyabati to Tarakeswar.

Questions people ask