Tarakeswar (Bengali: Tarokeshshor) is a town and a municipality in Hooghly District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is a police station in Chandannagar subdivision. Tarakeswar is a renowned place of pilgrimage and the greatest centre of the Shiva sect in West Bengal. 58km away from Kolkata, Tarakeswar can be reached conveniently by train. Tarakeswar is located at 2253N 8801E / 22.89N 88.02E / 22.89; 88.02. It has an average elevation of 18metres (59feet). As of 2001 India census, Tarakeswar had a population of 28,178. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Tarakeswar has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 66%. In Tarakeswar, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. This is a rich agricultural area with several cold storages. The principal attraction is the temple of Taraknath, an 'atchala' structure with a 'natmandir' in front. Close by are the...
