Kalighat Kali Temple
Kalighat Kali Temple is a prominent religious site in Kolkata and is one of India’s 52 Shakti Peethas (places where various pieces of Sati’s body are said to have fallen during Shiva’s Rudra Tandava). Sati’s toes from her right foot are reported to have fallen in Kalighat. Only the face of the god was created in earlier years, therefore the image of the deity was incomplete. The goddess Kali’s idol was further embellished with the addition of gold and silver hands, a mouth, and jewellery.
Kalighat Kali Temple is a prominent religious site in Kolkata and is one of India’s 52 Shakti Peethas (places where various pieces of Sati’s body are said to have fallen during Shiva’s Rudra Tandava). Sati’s toes from her right foot are reported to have fallen in Kalighat. Only the face of the god was created in earlier years, therefore the image of the deity was incomplete. The goddess Kali’s idol was further embellished with the addition of gold and silver hands, a mouth, and jewellery. The temple attracts a large number of visitors, particularly on significant events like as Kali Puja, Poila Boishakh, Durga Puja, and Bengali New Year’s Day.
Some relevant pointers for visitors include the following:
The temple is located in South Kolkata. Buses and trams are easily available from all parts of Kolkata to Kalighat.
Nearest Metro Stations: Jatin Das Park (Northern Exit) and Kalighat (Southern Exit).
Opening Hours of the temple: 5.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
In order to avoid crowd, visit the temple on Wednesday or Thursday.
Kalighat Kali Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas on Earth and is one of Kolkata’s most holy places. This historic temple, which is almost 200 years old, is devoted to the Hindu Goddess Kali. Sati’s right foot toes are said to have fallen here, according to tradition. Countless followers come to this sacred shrine to offer prayers to the goddess, regardless of sectarian divides. The Adi Ganga, a tributary of the Hooghly River, runs directly next to the temple, adding to its beauty and purity.
This temple was originally a tiny cottage that was subsequently rebuilt by King Manasingha in the early 16th century. The current temple building was constructed in 1809 under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family. The sandstone idol of Kali, which is spectacular and one-of-a-kind, was carved by two saints, Atmaram Giri and Brahmananda Giri. It has three large eyes, four hands, and a lengthy tongue that protrudes. The tongue and hands are fashioned of gold, with two of them holding a scimitar and the severed head of ‘Shumbha’ (Asura ruler).
The temple’s main attractions are Sosthi Tala, Harkath Tala, Radha-Krishna Temple, and Kundupukur. Sosthi Tala, also known as Monosha Tala, is a 3 foot tall rectangular altar with a tiny cactus plant. Three stones depict the Goddesses Sosthi, Mongol Chandi, and Sitola beneath the plant. Animal sacrifices are performed in Harkath Tala, and Kundupukur is a holy tank with a surface size of 669 square feet. Radha-Krishna Temple was built in 1843 by a Zamindar called Udoy Narayan Mondal and comprises four Shiva shrines. Don’t miss a visit to the historic Nakhuleshwar Mahadev Temple, which is located just across from Kalighat Kali Temple.
Opening Closing Time
05:00 am – 02:00 pm
05:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Entrance Fee: Free Entry
Location: Kalighat Road, Kolkata, 700001, West Bengal
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