Tracing the Divine Origins: The Mythology of Tarakeswar Temple

The Tarakeshwar temple, hidden in the middle of the Beauty of Bengal, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped as Taraknath. This temple is popular among devotees and travelers for its rich history and beauty. This holy shrine of Lord Shiva has a very divine aura, making it special in the hearts of devotees. Tarakeshwar Temple is about 58 kilometers from Kolkata and located in the Hooghly District of West Bengal. 

Table of contents:

1. Importance of Tarakeshwar Temple
2. Architecture of Tarakeshwar Temple
3. How Lord Taraknath was born
4. How Shivlinga was found in Tarakeswar
5. Dress Code at Tarakeshwar Temple
6. Special puja and offering at Tarakeswar temple
7. Visiting Time at Tarakeswar Temple
8. How to reach the Tarakeswar Temple?

Importance of Tarakeshwar Temple

Tarakeshwar Temple is considered the most powerful shrine of Lord Shiva. The Shivalinga in the temple is popular among devotees for its power of fulfilling desires and spiritual awakening. This temple represents Bengal’s cultural and spiritual traditions. Many people visit the temple to purify their minds and souls. Taraknath of Tarakeshwar Temple is known as the remover of negative planetary influences. 

Architecture of Tarakeshwar Temple

This temple was constructed in 1729 by Raja Bharamalla. The architecture of Tarakeshwar Temple represents the simplicity and elegance of Bengal style. This temple has the traditional Bengali-style architecture, or the ‘rekha-deul’ design, which is very common in Bengal. The Tarakeshwar temple is made of stone and bricks, and complicated carvings are on the walls. The Grabha-Griha (sanctum) is a lingam of God Shiva, who is worshipped as Baba Taraknath. In front of the sanctum, there is a mandapa (pillared hall) where devotees gather for prayer and aarti. 

How was Lord Taraknath born?

There is a very fascinating tale of Lord Taraknath that has been known for generations. When the Samunda Manthan happened, the gods (devatas) and demons (asuras) worked together very hard to extract amrita (the immortal nectar). But before the Amrit was extracted, a deadly poison (Halahala) emerged, which is very dangerous to all living beings. Then the boundless god, Lord Shiva, consumed that deadly poison to save the universe, and his throat became poisonous because of the poison and turned blue. That’s how Lord Shiva got the name Neelkanth (the Blue-Throated One). To get relief from the burning sensation of the poison, Lord Shiva emerged in deep meditation and cooled himself. It is believed that during his deep meditation, he manifested as Taraknath, which means one who liberates. He became accessible to all the devotees seeking blessings for freedom from the cycle of life and death.

How Shivlinga was found in Tarakeswar

According to Hindu Scriptures, Lord Taraknath was self-manifested in the dense forest of Tarakeshwar, and when Sage Vishwamitra was meditating, he felt a divine presence of Lord Shiva, and then he found the Shivalinda of Lord Taraknath, which marks the origin of Lord Taraknath's worship in Tarakeswar. The name Tarakeswar (Lord of Liberation). It symbolizes his role as the savior of souls and helping them to attain Moksha (salvation).

Dress Code at Tarakeshwar Temple

When devotees visit the Taraknath Temple in Tarakeswar, West Bengal, it is very important to follow the dress code of the temple. The temple does not enforce any formal dress code, but it is suggested to wear something modest to show respect for the temple’s customs. Here check the dress code for men and women visiting the Tarakeswar Temple:
Men: It is recommended to remove the shirts and vests to enter the temple, which means that their upper body should be bare before entry.
Women: There is no specific dress code for women, but it is recommended to wear modest and traditional attire.
One should not carry any leather items, like leather belts, purses, etc. while visiting the temple.

Special pujas and offerings at the Tarakeswar temple

Tarakeswar Temple has many special pujas and offerings dedicated to Lord Taraknath. Here check the pujas and offerings at the Tarakeswar temple:
Rudra Abhishek: A sacred bath of ghee, milk, honey, curd, and sacred herbs. This is performed to remove negative energies and bring peace, prosperity, and the blessings of Lord Taraknath.
Maha Shivratri Puja: Many types of offerings are offered at Tarakeswar Temple, such as Bilva (bael) leaves, flowers, milk, and ghee on Maha Shivratri to seek the blessing of Lord Shiva.

Visiting Time at Tarakeshwar Temple

Devotees can visit the Tarakeswar Temple during these hours:
Morning Darshan: 6:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Evening Darshan: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM 

How to reach the Tarakeswar Temple?

Devotees can visit this sacred shrine of Lord Taranath by these means of transportation:
Train: Most of the devotees prefer the train to visit the Tarakeswar Temple. The Tarakeswar Railway Station is about 1 km away, and this station is well connected with the cities of Bengal and Howrah. You can take the train from Howrah Junction to Tarakeswar, which takes approximately 2 hours. After arriving at Tarakeswar, you can walk or take an auto to the Tarakeswar Temple.
By Road: Many devotees also prefer roads to visit the Tarakeswar Temple. Tarakeswar is 60 km away from Kolkata, and you can reach it by car or bus in about 2 hours. Once you reach Tarakeswar, you can opt for a rickshaw and taxi to the temple.
By Air: The closest airport to Tarkeswar is The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, which is about 80 km from Tarakeswar. 

Tips for Travelers:

Devotees should visit during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the rush.
You should plan your visit during weekdays if possible, as weekends and Mondays are auspicious for Lord Shiva.