Kali mata Temple Image Gallery

The Kalighat temple in its present form is only about 200 years old, although it has been referred to in Mansar Bhasan composed in the 15th century. The original temple was a small hut. A small temple was constructed by King Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The present temple was erected under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family of Banisha. It was completed in 1809. The Haldar family claims to be the original owners of the temple property. But this was disputed by the Chowdhrys of Banisha.

Kali mata temple is crowded on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is less crowded early in the morning before 8.A.M. The organization of the temple and the meaning of the terms Sevaiyat, Phaledar, Mishras, and Sathi Brahmins will be explained later with an update. In the nineteen sixties a committee was formed for the administrative management of the temple with representation from the Government and the Haldar family.

The persons standing in front of the Deity are not Priests of the Kali mata temple. Kalighat is regarded as one of the 52 Shakti Peethams of India, where the various parts of Sati's body are said to have fallen, in the course of Shiva's Rudra Tandava. Kalighat represents the site where the toes of the right foot of Shakti or Sati fell. Kalighat is also associated with the worship offered to Kaali by a Dasanami Monk by name Chowranga Giri, and the Chowringee area of Calcutta is said to have been named after him.

Kalighat is located in the city of Calcutta on the banks of the river Hooghly (Bhagirathi). The name Calcutta is said to have been derived from the word Kalighat. The river over a period of time has moved away from the temple. The temple is now on the banks of a small canal called Adi Ganga which connects to the Hooghly. A Bhattacharya priest comes during the Puja time for conducting the Puja. The persons standing in front of the Deity are the employees of the Phaledar.

Phaledar is the person who holds the right to collect the offering for the day. He is also responsible for conducting the Pujas in kali temple. He also found a Svayambhu Lingam of Nakuleshwar Bhairav nearby, and started worshipping Kaali in the midst of a thick jungle. Legend has it that a devotee discovered a luminant ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi river bed, and upon investigating its source came upon a piece of stone carved in the form of a human toe.

Kali mata temple is on the name of this temple that English gave the place name Calcutta which is anglicized form of Kalikata. Dakshineswar Kali Temple is situated alongside the Vivekananda Bridge north of Calcutta, about 20 km. from BBD Bagh. It is famous for its association - with Ramkrishna who achieved spiritual vision here. This temple was built by Rani Rashmoni in 1847. The 12- spired temple with its enormous courtyard is surrounded by 12 other temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Dalals who hand you over to another Panda for taking you inside the temple. It is a world famous place of pilgrimage and it was here that the famous religious thinker Rama Krishna Paramahamsa achieved his spiritual vision and preached the unity of all religions. Ramakrishna served as temple's head priest. From the first days of his service in the shrine of the goddess Kali, he was filled with a rare form of love for the Goddess known in Hinduism as maha-bhava.

There are innumerable temples throughout India, dedicated to Ma Durga, the true manifestation of the absolute energy that pervades the universe. These temples helps to promote and flourish the richness of the Hindu religion, culture, and philosophy. In addition, the various Durga temples provides an opportunity for the Hindu community to learn and display the many characteristics possessed by Ma Durga through participation in rituals, customs and various other activities, performed in the temples.

The Divine Mother, in the form of the goddess Kali, intervened. She appeared to the Rani in a dream and said, "There is not need to go to Banaras. As the ten-armed Goddess, Goddess Durga presents a radiantly beautiful form that is bewitching to behold. The nine different forms of Devi are worshiped over the nine days. The nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvina is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu Calendar and is hence the most celebrated time of the year as Durga Puja.

there was no railway line between Calcutta and Banaras and it was more comfortable for rich persons to make the journey by boat rather than by road. Kalighat is located in south Calcutta. Buses and trams are available from all parts of Calcutta. Kalighat has a Tram depot. So this is the starting and ending point for many trams. All buses going to south Calcutta have to pass through Shyam Prasad Mukherjee road. The temple is off this road. You get down in Kalighat bus stop and walk down the Kali Temple road to the temple. Kalighat is connected by metro railway.