Taraknath Temple | |
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তারকেশ্বর মন্দির | |
![]() Temple of Taraknath with Dudhpukur pond in the foreground, picture taken from Hanuman Ghat | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Hooghly |
Deity | Shiva |
Location | |
Location | Tarakeswar |
State | West Bengal |
Country | India |
Geographic coordinates | 22°53′07″N 88°01′03″E / 22.8854°N 88.0176°E |
Architecture | |
Type | Hindu temple architecture |
Founder | Raja Bharamalla Rao |
The Taraknath temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva worshiped as Tarakanatha, is a major pilgrimage spot in the town of Tarakeswar, West Bengal, India. Built in 1729, the temple is an atchala structure of Bengal temple architecture with a 'natmandir' in front. Close by are the shrines of Kali and Lakshmi Narayan. Dudhpukur, a tank to the north of the Shiva temple is believed to fulfil the prayers of those taking a dip in it.[1] It is also considered one of the 64 Jyotirlinga according to Shiv Puran.
Baba Taraknath also known as Baba Tarakeshwar or Baba Tarakeshwarnath. He is a violent (Ugra) form of Lord Shiva who drank venom (Vish) during Samudra-manthan. Tarakeshwarnath is the husband of Bhagwati Tara. His shivalinga is also situated in Bengal, a few kilometres away from Tarapith. He grants his devotees a good health and life from which anything can be achieved. It is said that those who are true devotees of Tara and Tarak , Bhagwati Tara breastfeeds that devotee and then the devotee attains moksha or salvation.
Legends
[edit]As per local legends, the temple was built by Raja Bharamalla Rao[citation needed] to discover a Linga in the jungles near Tarakeswar. The temple was later built around the swayambhu linga (self-manifested) referred as Baba Taraknath in 1729 AD.[1][2]
Festivities
[edit]Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year, especially on Mondays. But thousands of pilgrims visit Tarakeswar on the occasions of 'Shivaratri' and 'Gajan', the former taking place in Phalgun (Feb-March) while the latter lasts for five days ending on the last day of Chaitra (mid-April). The month of Sravana (mid-July to mid-August) is auspicious for Shiva when celebrations are held n each Monday.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "TARAKESHWAR: Shivaratri: Night Of The Lord, Destroyer Of Evil". Outlook Traveller. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
- ^ Tarakeshwar Temple