Tarakeswar
Shrabani Mela
Every year, in the rainy month of Shraban (July–August), lakhs of people walk the path of devotion to Tarakeswar Temple in Hooghly district of West Bengal. They carry holy water from the Ganges, collected mainly at the Nimai Tirtha Ghat in Baidyabati, along with various other ghats, to offer to Lord Shiva at the Taraknath Temple. Known as the Shrabani Mela, this event draws countless devotees each year. People believe that offering Ganga water to Lord Shiva during this time brings peace, blessings, and good luck. Pilgrims, referred to as “Jal Jatris” walk around 40 kilometers barefoot. They come from places all across the country. It is a hard journey, but they do it with strong faith. Echoes of chants, prayers, and heartfelt devotion fill the town. Tarakeswar Shrabani Mela is more than a walk. It is a journey of love, belief, and hope.