Tarakeswar
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Tarakeswar
Village in the Serampore subdivision of Hooghly District, Bengal, situated in 22° 53' N. and 88° 2' E. Population (1901), 1,032. Tarakeswar is famous for its shrine dedicated to Siva, which is resorted to by large crowds of pilgrims all the year round. This temple is richly endowed with money and lands, supplemented by the offerings of wealthy devotees. It is under the management of a mahant or priest, who enjoys its revenues for life. Two large religious gatherings are held annually at Tarakeswar. The first of these, the Sivaratri, takes place in February ; and the ceremonies enjoined on this occasion are considered by the followers of Siva to be the most sacred of all their observances. The three essential rites of the Sivaratri are : fasting during the day, holding a vigil during the night and worshipping Siva as the marvellous and interminable lingain, thereby typifying the exaltation of Siva-worship over that of Vishnu and Brahma. It is estimated that 20,000 people visit the shrine on the occasion of this festival. A fair held at the same time continues for three days. The second great religious festival is the Chaitra Sankranti (or New Year's eve) falling in April, which is also the day of the swinging festival. The temple is then visited by persons who come for penance, or to lead a temporary ascetic life, in fulfilment of vows made to Siva at some crisis of their lives. The swinging festival of the present day is a very harmless affair compared with what it was formerly ; the votaries are merely suspended by a belt, instead of by hooks pierced through the flesh. The fair on this occasion lasts six days, and is attended by some 15,000 people. A branch of the East Indian Railway from Seoraphuli to Tarakeswar was opened in 1885, and the village can also be reached by the Tarakeswar-Magra Railway.
