From the Beautiful World of Kshiragramam: A Fascinating Journey to the Big and Happy Heart of Tradition and Spirituality

Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Kalighat Kali Temple: Unveiling the Sacred Marvel of Kolkata

Discovering Kalighat’s Spiritual Essence

Kalighat Kali Temple, nestled in Kalighat, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, stands as a profound Hindu sanctuary dedicated to the formidable goddess Kali. Beyond its architectural magnificence, this temple is revered as one of the eminent Shakti Peethas, weaving together divinity and devotion.

Navigating History Along Adi Ganga

Initially, Kalighat served as a sanctified landing stage for Kali along the ancient course (Adi Ganga) of the Hooghly River in Kolkata. The city’s nomenclature, Kolkata, echoes the presence of Kalikata Devi from the Kalighat Temple. Despite the river’s course shift, the temple now graces the banks of the Adi Ganga canal, connecting to the Hooghly.

Legend of Rudra Tandava: Kalighat’s Shakti Peetha Connection

Imbued with legend, Kalighat is enshrined as one of the revered 51 Shakti Peethas, believed to be the site where the toes of Dakshayani or Sati’s right foot descended during the cosmic dance of Shiva’s Rudra Tandava.

Ancestral Patronage and Centuries of Devotion

Rooted in time, Kalighat’s historical tapestry unfolds in references dating back to Mansar Bhasan in the 15th century and Kavi Kankan Chandi in the 17th century. The temple’s current form emerged under the patronage of the Sabarna Roy Chowdhury family in 1809, yet debates persist about the family’s traditional role as patrons.

Temples Within: Shoshti Tala, Natmandir, Jor Bangla, Harkath Tala, Radha-Krishna, and Kundupukur

• Shoshti Tala: A sacred rectangular altar, adorned with stones representing goddesses Shashthi, Shitala, and Mangal Chandi, crafted by Gobinda Das Mondal in 1880.

• Natmandir: An elegant covered platform, constructed by Zamindar Kasinath Roy in 1835, offering a panoramic view of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

• Jor Bangla: A spacious verandah unveiling rituals within the sanctum, providing a unique perspective to devotees.

• Harkath Tala: A site for sacrifice, featuring two altars known as Hari-Kath, adjacent to Natmandir.

• Radha-Krishna Temple: Also known as Shyama-raya temple, a testament to devotion erected by Zamindar Udoy Narayan in 1843.

• Kundupukur: A sacred tank outside the temple, believed to hold waters as sanctified as the Ganges, with ties to the divine through the ‘Sati-Anga.’

Kalighat’s Spiritual Significance: A Shakti Peetha Chronicle

Recognized within the Shaktism sect of Hinduism, Kalighat symbolizes an essential Shakti Peetha, associated with the mythological saga of Daksha’s yajna and Sati’s self-immolation. The temple stands as a testament to the divine union of Shiva and Shakti, with each Shakti Peetha representing a letter in the Sanskrit alphabet.

Beeja Mantra and Mythological Connections

The sacred Beeja Mantra “Krīm” resonates within Kalighat, dedicated to Dakshina Kali. Mythological texts, including the Kalika Purana, identify four Shakti Peethas with Kalighat representing the site where the face of the Goddess fell and is worshipped as Dakshina Kali.