Tarakeshwar Temple, Hooghly, West Bengal India

Tarakeshwar Temple, Hooghly, West BengalTarakeshwar Temple is a popular Hindu pilgrimage destination in West Bengal. The Taraknath Temple is located in the town of Tarakeshwar, near Serampore, in the district of Hooghly in West Bengal. Tarakeshwar Temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is the supreme centre of the Shiva sect in Bengal. Tarakeswar is situated at 22.89 degree N 88.02 degree E. The average elevation of the region is 18 m. Tarakeshwar is located 58 km from the city of Kolkata and is well connected by train.

Tarakeshwar Temple was established in the 18th century. There is a legend related to the formation of the temple. Vishnu Das, a devotee of Lord Shiva, immigrated with his family to the region from Ayodhya (Oude). He and his family members were not properly accepted by the locals and were viewed with utmost suspicion. Supposedly, Vishnu Das proved his innocence by grabbing hold of a red hot iron bar in his hand and earned a good reputation amongst the locals.

Some time later, Vishnu`s brother discovered a place in the forest nearby, where cattle released the milk in their udders at a specific location every day. After exploring the area, the brothers found a Shiva Lingam on that spot. It is widely believed that the brothers had a divine dream which revealed that the Shiva lingam was a manifestation of Lord Shiva in the form of Baba Tarakeshwar. Lord Shiva is considered as the primal and ultimate power in the universe and the source of everything. Eventually a temple was built on the exact place which came to be known as Taraknath Temple of Tarakeshwar. The temple has been renovated many times over the subsequent years.