Tarakeswar Shravani Mela is a religious fair held at Taraknath Temple, Tarakeswar in Hoogly district of West Bengal. In 2022, Tarakeswar Shravan Mela begins on July 14 and ends on August 12.
Though large numbers of devotees throng the temple on Shravan Somvar (Mondays in Shravan Month), each day of Shravan Month has special significance. Apart from Mondays in this month, Shravan Shivratri, Shravan Amavasya and Shravan Purnima are also considered auspicious days for special rituals and pujas.
IRCTC and the West Bengal State Transport Corporation will run special trains and buses respectively during Shravani Mela at Tarakeswar.
Important Snan dates in Shravani Mela 2022
Sunday, 24 July 2022 – Kamika Ekadashi
Sunday, 31 July 2022 – Hariyali Teej
Tuesday, 2 August 2022 – Nag Panchami, Garuda Panchami
Monday, 8 August 2022 – Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Thursday, 11 August 2022 – Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi Festival)
Friday, 12 August 2022 – Varadlakshmi Vrat
Friday, 12 August 2022 – Narali Purnima
Taraknath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva worshiped as Taraknath, is a major pilgrimage spot in the town of Tarakeswar, West Bengal. 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.
As per local legends, the temple was built after a dream which led the mendicant brother of Raja Vishnu Das 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.
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 Shravana (July – August) is auspicious for Shiva when celebrations are held on each Monday.