The trip to Tarkeshwar – Tadak Bum – Lokenath

It’s not only a journey but also a trip that you can always reconnect with. Motives are many and when something gets connected with god then it comes right from within. The journey carried out by many in anticipation to please god in West Bengal. The trip from Shevrapuli to Tarkeshwar.

It’s the belief that is of utmost importance and if you have the faith then nothing can come in your way. People from all around West Bengal and nearby states take part in this journey, which takes place in the month of Sawan (the month of rains). People plan their trip as per their schedule. People from the nearby places like Kolkata and all reach the place by local trains or buses available from Howrah station. Shevrapuli is the place of the start of the journey situated on the bank of Ganges. Ganges had beautiful Ghats where the mantras of lord shiva make the place religious as well as mesmerizing. Pundits singing Om Namaha Shivaya and a huge crowd of followers repeating those mantras.

One needs to prepare for the journey. He needs to take Matka, something to hang it on your shoulders. One can go without that. These materials are available at station and on the way to Ghats too. The people go to take a bath in the Ganges and the feel of Dubkis in the water is awesome and incomparable to any thing else. Then the Matkas are filled with Ganges water. Then Pujas are performed at Ghat. Now the walking starts. Generally people are in groups. This is the description of a journey of 42 kms on foot that too in a night.

Many families including ladies and children take part in this journey. Everybody keep inspiring the others by encouraging them. Walking barefoot carrying two Matkas filled with waters balancing with wood. The whole way is full of crowds many helping the Darshanarthi with water, medicine and other facilities on the way. Many camps are there. There are lots of Bhajans, mantras on the way. The whole journey is full of troubles too. The road is full of dirt, stones and other materials, which trouble the foot, but the spirits make it possible. Generally it is advisable to take fewer stops in the way so that the journey is completed. The journey contains many roads, turns, bridges; fields are on the side and its real beauty to look at them and appreciate their beauty thereby appreciating the nature the gift of god. Walking is good for health especially for the urban youth who is too busy on computers and chairs that he dosenot has time to breathe properly.

Sometimes the people get tired. 42 km is not a joke but the great thing is the whole environment. It’s surprising to see so many getting to the destination, where they get the energy from. One had many places to stop in between where there are proper facilities by administration and social workers. There is the famous temple of Dakait Kali on the way. One get manthings and shops on way easily assessable is Muri. Police is also deployed at many places. Many rickshaw walas are also there to take those who cannot continue on foot. The legs swell, there are even cuts and wounds and blood start oozing out, but the spirit does not fade out. The pain may be unbearable but who cares. The children, ladies old people could make it then why cannot the young.  Last 13 kms is really tough. It’s really painful to continue any further. One has already traveled more than 30 kms so there is trouble in moving ahead.

One more interesting fact is to see ‘Tadak Bum’ carrying Huge Mataks may be made of heavy metals carrying on the shoulders and great thing about them is that they dosenot stop through out the journey. Simply Outstanding effort. Dissolve in Shiva Bhakti devotees carry on the journey. Its lovely to see the sunrise in the fields, the sounds of birds. 2 kms before Tarkeshwar is one more place called Lokenath where one Matka is used and water of Ganges is put.

Then after some more patience one reaches Tarkeshwar. Putting water in the Tarekshwar gives one loads of satisfaction. The whole journey is great and really memorable. One can travel by train also to Tarkeshwar directly by the train.