Fast Facts :

Located : Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Known For : The famous Kali Temple.

Timings : (5.00am to 3.00pm and (5.00pm-10.00pm).

Situated in the Kolkata city, on the riverside of Bhagirathi also called as Hooghly, Kolkata is prominently called as Kalighat. It is said that, the name “kalikata” has been derived from the shrine at kalighat.

Kalighat Shrine :

The shrine at Kalighat exclusively for the (Sakti followers) was constructed by the (Sabarna Roy Choudhurys), A famed family of Brahmin Zamindars from Barisa,24 Paraganas. This kin was 1 of the chief (Brahmin families) in West Bengal and are still persisted a very highly looked upon family for diverse charity to the artistic growth of West Bengal. Diverse kindling of (Sabarna Roy Choudhurys) had established themselves at new villages, namely, Baruipur,Halisahar, and segment of Calcutta etc.

The unique shrine was a tiny shelter. A tiny shrine was built by King Manasingha in the early Sixteenth century. The current shrine was constructed in the year (1809) on the place of the earlier shrine.

It is said that the whirling wheel or chakra of (Lord Vishnu) had wedged off the dead body of Goddess Parvati or Sati, when (Lord Shiva) was executing his frightening dance also known as (Pralay) with her body placed on his (shoulders), in a mood of terrific anger. The wedges of her dead body knocked down at dissimilar places that later bowed into sacred pilgrimage centers for all the pious Hindus. The powerful shrine of Kalighat is 1 such blessed spot where one of the toes of (Goddess's) right side feet is said to have fallen. In the holy months of Chaitra Bhadra and Paush (concordant to the Bengali calendar), the sacred shrine of Kalighat turns into convergence of (pious Bengali) and (non-Bengali) followers.

One of the disbeliever of God said that he started believing the almighty and the divine power when his wife a great believer of God and especially Goddess kali, came back from the mouth of death after all the medical science failed the only power survived was the Divine Power of God and the belief.

Puja and added fiestas of crackers, light and multicolored parades linked with the Navaratri revels are the highlights and hallmark of the fiesta demeanored in honor of (Goddess Kali). This shrine of Ma Kali is one of the fifty two (Shakthi Peetams) in India and she is known for her violent yet adorable nature. Although from the heavenly influence of the dwelling deity, the shrine has been very popular for its excellent instance of (terracotta art), although many of it, have been destroyed by time.

The statue of (Goddess Kali) is created out of (black colored stone) and bedecked with silver and gold. The idol of Lord Shiva is made out of Silver. On the eve of pious Snan Yatra a ceremonial Bath is given to Goddess Kali. All the rites and rituals are executed by the main priest. Kali symbolize the vicious side of Lord Shiva's wife and stresses on every day animal sacrifices; as a result, in the early morning (goats) have their pharynges slit to please Goddess Kali’s bloodlust. During daytime, many underprivileged people come to this temple for a free of charge meal.

This place is also linked with the adoration presented to Goddess Kali by a (Dasanami Monk) named (Chowranga Giri), and area of Chowringee, Kolkata is believed to have got its name from this saint. Kalighat kali shrine is forever jam-packed with followers from all across the globe.

The Kali Temple of Dakshineswar located crossways from the stream, close to Belur Math, foster a picture of Goddess Kali adored by the religious leader (Ramakrishna Paramahamsa), also the guru of (Swami Vivekananda.).