History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Activities, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Kolkata, the city of Joy, is probably the cultural centre of India. But its temples and faithful traditions also make it an important religious centre of the country, where numerous temples add on to its rich heritage. The Kalighat Kali Temple in the city is deeply revered for its miraculous prowess of the presiding deity, Goddess Kali.
History of Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata
The temple of Kalighat was built in the nineteenth century and dates back around 200 years ago but its reference have also been found in the fifteenth century composition of Mansar Bhasan and Kavi Chandi's seventeenth century's publications. Other mentions of the temple are also found in Lalmohon Bidyanidhis's 'Sambanda Nirnoy'.
The original temple is said to have been constructed as a small hut structure. This hut was later transformed as a bigger temple commissioned by King Manasingha during early of the sixteenth century. It was finally under the patronage of Sabarna Roy Chowdhury’s family of Barisha that the present structure was completed in around the year 1809.
Goddess Kali's idol at Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata
The idol of Goddess Kali, features her three big eyes, four hands and a long protruding tongue - all made out of sandstone crafted by the twin saints, Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri. The tongue and the eyes of the idol are made of pure gold. As the idol does not resemble the usual idols of the Goddess at other places of her worship, her hands hold a scimitar that signifies the divine knowledge and a severed head of Shumbha, a demon king who signifies human evils. The evils stems from the ego which is supposed to be slayed by the divine knowledge and removed from our behaviours through worshipping the Goddess and to attain moksha according to local legends.
Popular Legend behind Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata
The Kalighat Kali Temple is regarded as one of the most important Shakti Peeths which are spread across the Indian subcontinent. Mythological stories that revolve around the temple's establishment relates to Rudra Tandav of Lord Shiva, which he started after he was enraged by the self-immolation of his consort, Goddess Sati. Lord Shiva carried Sati’s burnt body while performing Tandav throughout universe which made the gods afraid. It was when Lord Vishnu cut her body through his sudarshan chakra, various parts of the Goddess’s body fell on earth, which were ultimately worshipped as temple of Adi Shakti. At this particular temple, the right toe of Sati is supposed to have fallen and the presiding deity here is called Kalika, after whom the city also gets its name, Kolkata.
The most talked about legends that circulate among the locals is of the Brahmin named Atma Ram, who found a stone structure in the Bhagirathi River shaped as a human toe. He was then guided by a ray of light that appeared to be coming from the direction of the river flow. The Brahmin prayed to the piece of stone the very evening and had a dream wherein he was informed about Goddess Sati’s toe that had fallen in the river and was asked in his dreams to set up a temple and along with searching for a Swambhu Lingam of Lord Shiva. He was successful in finding the Lingam and later started worshipping both Swambhu Lingam and the toe shaped stone here.
Festivals Celebrated here at Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata
Among the festivals celebrated are - Durga pooja, Kali Puja, Pohela Boishakh, Navratri, and Dondi Festival.
Kalighat Kali Temple Daily Darshan Timings
Opening Hours of the temple are 5.00 a.m. in the morning till 2.00 p.m. in the afternoon, while it reopens from 5.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m, after the afternoon bhoj.
How to Reach Kalighat Kali Temple, Kolkata, The Capital of West Bengal, India
Kolkata being capital and district headquarter of Kolkata district and important city of West Bengal, it is very well connected with all major cities of India via road, rail and air network. Lots of people across the world visits here throughout the year which makes Kolkata more convenient in terms of travel, accommodation and other services. Kolkata has major internal airport from where you can get flight to all major cities of India. Kolkata has major rail junction from where you can get train to almost all part of country. Kolkata is located at 118 km from Ganga Sagar, 172 km from Durgapur, 138 km from Bishnupur, 212 km from Bankura, 64 km from Durgapur, 129 km from Mayapur, 89 km from Belur, 65 km from Tarakeshwar
