Tarakeshwar is one of the perfect pilgrimage centers and most acclaimed religious destinations in West Bengal of India .Tarakeshwar is located near Serampore in the district of Hooghly near Kolkata in Bengal. This small place is famous for the holy temple of Lord Shiva. Thousands of Devotees pour in every day to offer their prayer to the Lord from all through India and also from foreign countries. This temple dates back to the 18th century. Legend has it that a devotee by name Vishnu Das emigrated with his clan from Oude (Ayodhya) and was viewed with suspicion by the locals. It is believed that he proved his innocence by holding in his hand a red hot iron bar. Later, his brother discovered a site in the nearby jungle, where cattle discharged the contents of their udders at a particular spot each day. Upon investigation, they discovered a Shivalingam. A dream is said to have revealed to them that this Shivalingam was a manifestation of Tarakeshwar - Shiva. A temple was built at this spot, and was renovated in subsequent years.
The prime attraction is the Lord Shiva temple, known as Tarakeshwar temple.The temple has an 'atchala' building structure with a 'natmandir' (Place for prayers) in front. The temple premises host shrines of Kali and Lakshmi-Narayan.
Tarakeshwar is overwhelmed by the flow of pilgrims during the Sravan month (July – August). Maha Shivratri is an important festival in this town. It is celebrated with major fairs and shopping festivals. It is celebrated in a grandeur style in the month of February-March. Other festival celebrated here are the Bengali New Year or the Chaitra Sankranti
How to get there: Buses and trains are available from Kolkata, Kolkata's Dum-Dum airport is the nearest airport from Tarakeshwar and it is just 58 kms away from Tarakeshwar. You can hire a taxi from the Dum Dum airport to Tarakeshwar with a fare of about Rs 750.
Another way is the railway and the nearest station is Howrah junction which is 30 km away from Tarakeshwar. This is the cheapest way to reach Tarakeshwar as here you can hire a taxi or else you can get a bus straight to Tarakeshwar, now the choice is yours. Tarakeshwar also has a railway station which is connected with the Howrah station and you can get into a train to Tarakeshwar for reaching up faster.
