Tarakeswar Shravani Mela is a religious fair held at Taraknath Temple, Tarakeswar in Hoogly district of West Bengal. In 2025, Tarakeswar Shravan Mela begins on July 11 and ends on August 9.
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 2025
Wednesday, 16 July 2025 – Dakshinayana Sankranti
Monday, 21 July 2025 – Kamika Ekadashi
Sunday, 27 July 2025 – Hariyali Teej
Tuesday, 29 July 2025 – Nag Panchami
Tuesday, 5 August 2025 – Shravana Putrada Ekadashi
Friday, 8 August 2025 – Varalakshmi Vratam
Saturday, 9 August 2025 – Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi Festival)
Saturday, 9 August 2025 – 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.