Taraknath is the name which has been given to Lord Shiva and the temple has been dedicated to lord Shiva, who at the temple is revered with the name Taraknath. The temple is one of the well known temples of the state of West Bengal, India and is situated in Tarakeswar city of Hooghly district. It is written in the history that the temple was built by Raja Bharamalla in 1729 AD. Atchala is the architecture style of West Bengal and the temple has been built with the same style. In the nearby areas of the temple shrines of Goddess Lakshami Narayan and Goddess Kali is present. To the North of the temple is located the Dudhpukur water tank, which is believed to be a holy tank and people in order to get salvation and to get their wishes fulfilled, take dip into the Dudhpukur water tank. The temple has been built in a typical Bengali style with an inner shrine and a balcony in front of the shrine. There’s a marble pathway in the balcony and the balcony having four sides and right in front of the balcony is large hall for devotees to sit and meditate.
Dedicated to: Lord Shiva
Built in: 18th century
The temple is one of the most sought after pilgrimages of India and people come here to get their plethora of wishes fulfilled. They ask from the most benevolent of all the God and Goddesses, Salvation, wealth, Knowledge, various materialistic articles, peace, relief from diseases and many more, which depends on the devotees.
Devotees call for their wishes by enchanting various mantras one of which is as mentioned:
“Kailaasarana Shiva Chnadramaouli Phaneendra Maathaa Mukutee Zalaalee Kaarunya Sindhu Bhaava Dukhaa Haaree Thujaveena Shambho Maaja Kona Taaree.”
The above Shloka implies that, OH Lord Shiva, you are seated at the Kialasha with the moon decorating your forehead with its light and the serpent king has been crowned over your head, you are so benevolent and you are the only one who can alone help me from getting rid of all the sufferings of life. I devote my life to you.
The history of the temple has been linked to 18th century which is considered to be the time when Lord Shiva came in his devotee’s dream and asked him to get the Shiva Linga discovered deep in the forest in the town of Tarlkeswara and also build a temple of Lord Shiva at the site. Later the temple was constructed near the Swayambhu linga which was called as Baba Taraknath.
It’s said that one of the ardent devotees of Lord Shiva named Vishnu Das who travelled all across from Ayodhya to Tarakeshwar. On one particular day his brother found a place in the temple where his cows used to give their milk every day. To his surprise a he discovered a Shiva Linga at the same place and it is believed that he came to know about the Shiva Linga when God himself told him in his dream to find the Linga. And this is how, villages decided to build a temple at the site.
By Road- Tarkeswar is connected to all most all the major cities of West Bengal and so it can be conveniently reached from any of the towns using the road.
By Railway Station –Kamarkundu is the nearest railway station to the temple.
By Air – Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose is the nearest airport and it takes around half an hour to reach the temple.
Morning Puja – 6:00 am to 1:30 pm
Evening Puja - 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
FESTIVALS CELEBRATED AT THE TEMPLEDevotees visit the temple particularly on Mondays, which are considered to be the day of Lord Shiva Puja. While on Maha Shivaratri and Gajan, the temple witnesses flock of devotees who queue in large gathering to take a glimpse of their favourite God. Gajan is celebrated in a time span of five days and it gets concluded on the ending day of the Chaitra month while Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in the Phalgun month. In addition to that, during Sravana, Lord Shiva is revered by all his devotees and on all the Mondays of Srawana.
NEARBY TOURIST ATTRACTIONSThe Shrines of Goddess Lakshmi Narayan and Goddess Kali are two very famous tourist attractions situated close to Taraknath Temple.
ADDRESSAddress: Taraknath Mandir Rd, Tarkeshwar, Hooghly District, West Bengal 712410
Phone: 03212 276 417
