Tarakeswar (তারকেশ্বর Tārakeśbar), also spelt Tarkeshwar, is a small town in the Hooghly district of West Bengal and a major pilgrimage site for Hindus in India. Home to Baba Taraknath Temple, a Shiva temple, the town experiences a huge crowd during Shaivite festivals like Maha Shivaratri (February) and Shravani Mela (July–August) every year.
It's also a major transit hub of the district, with a busy railway station and a large bus terminus, serving thousands from the district and beyond.
Get in
[edit]By train
[edit]- 1 Tarakeswar Howrah . One of the busiest railway stations in Hooghly district. It has a six-bedded dormitory.
By bus
[edit]- 2 Tarakeswar Bus Stand (opposite railway station). One of the largest and busiest bus termini in Hooghly district, served by long-distance buses from the district and beyond. The bus terminus and the railway station together forms a busy transit hub serving thousands of people.
By car
[edit]SH 2 and SH 15 pass through Tarakeswar. SH 2 heads west to Kamarpukur, Bishnupur and Mukutmanipur before terminating at Bankura and heads east to Uttarpara, Kolkata, Barrackpore and Berachampa before terminating near Taki.
SH 15 heads north to the Rarh region and south to Howrah and Bagnan before terminating at Gadiara.
Get around
[edit]
See and do
[edit]- 1 Baba Taraknath Temple. An at-chala temple dedicated to Lord Shiva worshipped as Taraknath. It is believed to be built in 1729 by Raja Bharamalla of Bishnupur. Close by are the shrines of Kali and Lakshmi Narayan. There's also a nat mandir (dancing hall) in front. The temple features four roofs above the sanctum and extended galleries for the congregation of the devotees. It is also claimed to be one of the Jyotirlinga shrines of Mahadeva.
- 2 Dudhpukur (Milk Tank) (N of the temple). The tank is believed to fulfil the prayers of those taking a dip in it. According to mythology, the tank was originally filled with milk (দুধ dudh) for the purification of the body, soul and mind.
Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Nataraj Tourism Property (Tarakeswar Tourist Lodge), ☏ +91 9732509927, [email protected]. Check-in: noon, check-out: 11AM. Run by West Bengal Tourism. ₹2,000–3,500 per room.
- 2 Tarakeswar Guest House.
Connect
[edit]Nearby
[edit]- 1 Dasghara (12 km (7.5 mi) north of Tarakeswar). Attractions include the Gopinath temple (a Mughal-era terracotta temple) and a colonial-era garden with marble statues.
